Vehicle: Car: License Plate
Plate tonic   (+4, -1)  [vote for, against]
bumper stumpers

Here in Canada we have a drivers license system which requires new drivers to display a red [L] on the rear of their vehicle to indicate 'learner'. After a year and another road test this is replaced with a green [N] for 'new' driver.

This works very well at diminishing road-rage and people give them a wider berth letting them merge more easily and such.
I would like to see an addition to this system where various stickers adorn the license plates indicating the level of driving ability and the number of demerits given to the owner of the vehicle.
Now, you might say, "But, what if the driver is not the owner?", and that would be a good point. I guess I would say that this might keep others from wanting to drive Franks' truck what with the DUI / hit-and-run stickers on the plate and maybe Frank might be more inclined to stop doing that crap.
Conversely, passing mile-stones as a safe or extra accredited driver might come with certain perks, like maybe an increased speed limit, use of the HOV lane as a single driver, or even every tenth bridge-toll free or some such.

I think that an incentive system of this type would have a great effect on traffic and would encourage safer driving.

...and while I have your eye/ear, there was a program instituted in Edmonton when I lived there where a black coffin shaped sign with [FATALITY] written on it was erected at the site of each death by motor vehicle incident for a year or so. I can't recall the stats but it caused a Huge reduction in accidents while it was in operation. The program was scrapped because they say it was bad for tourism, but I tell you what... when you'd come around a corner and see a string of five or six [FATALITY] signs in one spot, you bloody well paid attention.

I'd like to see that make a come-back as well.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 24 2015

accident black spot http://www.waterman...2/11/black-spot.jpg
used to be seen in UK.... [xenzag, Oct 24 2015]

book in Canada https://www.youtube...watch?v=VaFkdnELh38
Roadside memorials and shrines [popbottle, Oct 26 2015]

In the UK, some warning signs (such as those warning of blind bends, narrow lanes etc) are not mandatory, but are erected if there has been a serious or fatal accident at that spot. Distinctive fatality-markers might be more effective, though.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 24 2015


I can recall signs with a large black dot, and the text "accident black spot". Not seen any for a while though.
-- xenzag, Oct 24 2015


Leaving the burnt out wrecks gives drivers some idea how sharp the bend is.

PS was on a ferry to France last week, in the shop they were selling mandatory breathalyser kits for drivers. Presumably so they can they are drunk enough?
-- not_morrison_rm, Oct 24 2015


Here people erect crosses covered with flowers, trinkets, etc at the accident sight where a loved one died. Truly sad, but when there are several in one spot... it seems to make people slow down.
Also, if drunks had to put a "D" on their car, then they would realize they shouldn't be driving! +
-- xandram, Oct 27 2015


// there where a black coffin shaped sign with [FATALITY] written on it was erected at the site of each death by motor vehicle incident for a year or so. ... when you'd come around a corner and see a string of five or six [FATALITY] signs in one spot, you bloody well paid attention.

I'd like to see that make a come-back as well. //

They have that in some U.S. states, too, although there it's small white crosses. Presumably they only put those up for dead Christians. Discrimination even in death ...

// "But, what if the driver is not the owner?" //

That's the bit that makes this impractical.
-- 8th of 7, Oct 27 2015


[8th of 7] what would you prefer to see other than little white crosses? is there an athiest honoring symbol. a raised fist/finger coming out of the ground?

I personally would prefer a series of black coffins as a warning to the many morons zipping past those places.
-- dentworth, Oct 28 2015


I think he means the demerit or award tags on the license plates themselves. Can't really have individual plates for each driver.

// That's the bit that makes this impractical. //

... hm, or can we?

Icons could be tagged to an individuals drivers license and added to the license-plate by incorporating small led projectors in an after-market license-plate surround cover.

No more magnetic [L] or [N] stickers to lose.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 28 2015


// what would you prefer to see other than little white crosses? //

Well, "something to offend everyone" would be a good starting point. How about tiny animatronic skeletons ? They could all dance to a disturbingly inappropriate tune.
-- 8th of 7, Oct 29 2015


What about using oil based paint?
-- travbm, Oct 29 2015



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