Georgia to get new, blue tags

[outofbounds]

The new plates are expected to debut in the spring, although not everybody who renews their tags will get one. The new plates are expected to be rolled out gradually over at least a few years, with those who have the older plates getting new ones first.

Another innovation that might not make the first set of plates is a bar code that will help police officers and state troopers get some information from the plate simply by passing a scanner over it.

The state still isn't sure what information the bar codes will contain.

Full story http://new.savannahnow.com/node/138938


What could a bar code tell them that the dispatcher couldn't? Is it possible the occupants could be identified as the car is traveling? Just a couple of questions that lept to mind, I don't see the need for this.

[cspanlovr]

1. Wow, interesting. Thanks for posting that.

I don't know what to think about the bar code thing. What information will it give them? Could be anything and everything these days. they've been collecting and storing information on us for years, so what's to stop them from using it. Terra, terra, terrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaa!

[all_for_freedom]

2. Georgia to get new, blue tags

Think about a bar code. It can identify all kinds of things. A bar code can identify your personal address; and possibly, any mis-dealings with the law that are reported by them. I used to reside in South Carolina, and they have barcodes on the back of their drivers license there. For what reasons, I'm not sure, but I can only assume, they have information about you encoded on the bar codes. As long as you stay clean and abide by the law, there shouldn't be a problem, right?

[all_for_freedom]

3. Georgia to get new, blue tags

Oh, yeah...One more thing....

If you happened to be lost, or worse yet, KIDNAPPED, wouldn't the 'blue tags' project be a blessing to you? Would to me. That is of course, if they kept relevent information on hand.

[Rosemary2205]

4. they don't "call you in" now.

the plate, vehicle VIN and your driver's license number are all in a computer databank and the policeman uses a laptop in his car. Some poorer depts still use call in but nearly all metro areas are using mobile computer links to look you up now. A bar code would only expedite that process.

[Lothar]

5. Errr, that whole "In God We Trust" thing...

Considering that I'm agnostic, I'm less than enthused that I'm going to have to adorn my car with this phrase. Would the state get mad at me for putting some blue touch-up paint over that?

[Laelth]

6. I'm with ya, Lothar.

Tyrrany of the majority at work. So what if most Georgians believe in God? Some don't, and separation of church and state is a good idea. When was that phrase added to the coat of arms? 2000? It has been very recently, in any event. Personally, I very much like Georgia's original motto: "Constitution, wisdon, justice, moderation." Combining church and state in such an overt way thwarts the Constitution, is unwise, unjust, and immoderate. Putting that slogan below our great state's coat of arms is a contradiction in terms.

[MGKrebs]

7. I like the look, but...

I don't get the bar code.
A bar code is merely a unique identifier, but a license plate number already is that. What could they possibly learn from a bar code that they couldn't learn just from running the plate? Your tax bracket? Any health problems? Creditworthiness?

[Laelth]

8. my guess ...

... whether or not taxes have been paid. but who knows? the article doesn't tell us much.

i, too, appreciate that the tag is very blue.

-Laelth