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Good driver / bad driver
FROM: Mark West
What NEED does this meet?
A web site for people to enter the number plate of a driver who nearly caused them to crash that morning, or was driving stupidly or right up their bumper on the way to work... or alternatively a driver who was especially nice and let them pull out or go first. People can then look up their own number plate and see if other people think they're a good or bad driver, hopefully making them think about driving safer if they find that lots of people have submitted them as being bad!
What is the APPROACH?
A simple web site with a database of number plates, number of positive votes and number of negative votes. The user just enters the number plate, and clicks 'bad' or 'good'. No email or login is needed, but an IP check ensures that no one can vote for a particular driver more than once.
What are the BENEFITS to people?
If you look up your own number plate and find lots of 'bad driver' votes and no 'good driver' ones it should make you really think about driving better. If you find that people say you're good, it'll make you feel good! It also gives people who have had a run in with a bad driver a chance to feel like they've done something about it.
What is the COMPETITION?
I don't know of any...
What BUDGET & LOGISTICS are required?
Cheap and easy - just need a server with a big enough database behind it.
October 31, 2003 in Reputation Systems, Transport, User Created Content | Permalink
Comments
Hmmm... You know, I could've sworn that was my idea!
Posted by: Tom Gutteridge at Oct 31, 2003 11:15:16 AM
Nice idea - Takes out the 0800 number operations though!!
Restriction by IP address isn't feasable though, as the same IP address could be dynamically assigned or masquarading many users.
Posted by: Ben Chapman at Oct 31, 2003 11:17:40 AM
Could be dodgy with the Data Protection Act. Just a thought
Posted by: Bob Shand at Oct 31, 2003 11:36:27 AM
Sounds like a legal minefield....
Posted by: CJM at Oct 31, 2003 12:00:45 PM
Assumes car driven by one driver all the time. What happens when car is sold?
Posted by: jbl at Oct 31, 2003 12:56:09 PM
I would suggest there are problems with the libel and slander rules at shaming drivers this way. Especially if the driver concerned is a 'professional' driver. (eg I've even had taxi drivers ignore mini roundabouts and the give way to the right rule when entering, required a firm press of the brake) Further if one was honest I think all drivers have make mistakes in driving and would admit such, even if it was just to themselves. Those that would not are unlikely to be swayed by their appearance online.
Posted by: Paul at Oct 31, 2003 1:16:31 PM
Should we all carry a pen and paper to write down the number-plates or text-message them to the website?
Posted by: anon at Nov 1, 2003 4:28:46 PM
My first thought was there might be problems with libel. But on second thoughts, if I say "I didn't like the way car A123BCD was being driven", then that's a true comment so it can't be libelous.
I also think rhis system would be useful regarding plumbers and other tradesmen. Though maybe that's more likely to be libelous.
Posted by: Phil Hunt at Nov 1, 2003 5:15:49 PM
Phil (Hunt), you may solve the libel problem that way, but in doing so you reduce the function of the site to nothing more than a simple popularity/infamy contest. I think the idea is only really of use if the statements and opinions given could actually be upheld as truthful in court.
Posted by: Mike at Nov 2, 2003 12:30:20 AM
As for competition http://roadragers.com/index.shtml has got a bad driver database
with quite a few submissions. I wanted to have one as well but am not sure about
the legal issues. I decided that I was going to have a page on my site to vent
frustration due to idiotic drivers.... basically this is for me to vent my anger and
be able to hopefully look back and laugh, otherwise I am going to ram my car into
the moronic drivers around here on purpose....not that they would notice considering
how completely unaware of everything they are.
Posted by: Lauren at Nov 5, 2003 6:17:06 PM
you can try http://www.baddriver.co.uk if you want to rant about bad drivers :)
Posted by: baddrivers at Dec 1, 2003 10:29:02 AM
I don't see how letting people out of a side road can be considered as good driving. The fact of the matter is that there are "A" roads and "B" roads. When you stop to let someone on to an "A" road you are effectively disrupting traffic on the "A" road which then becomes a "B" Road.
Then there are those who deliberately cut through the "B" roads because they know that some mug will let them out onto the "A" road.
Posted by: Trevor Roberts at Nov 23, 2004 1:33:43 PM
there must be a universal need for this; I've been wanting to post bad driver's
license plates FOREVER, it seems. I just don't have my own website.
This morning in LA I was 4 cars back of a left turn signal on Sepulveda waiting to get on
the 405 northbound. This signal gives a particularly long wait, and a short left turn
green, and you don't want to miss it. Sure enough, the idiot in the vehicle before
mine sits and sits and sits after the green. I beep, and the jerk doesn't go ahead
and make the freaking left turn we've all been sitting here so long to make. NO. He
rips across the right two lanes and heads around to sit at the same light from the
perpendicular position, facing the onramp directly. The car in front of me hesitates
while this peculiar behavior is occuring, moves forward while the light is still green
but doesn't have enough acceleration, and the light changes. We sit some more. Finally
the IDIOT gets onto the onramp before us at the next change of the light cycle.
However, I caught up to the moron and got his license plate. I just wish I could
let him know how infuriating this was, and ask why the heck would he do something so
totally unsensible? Whoever you are, you really steamed me today, you mental midget!
Posted by: mike at Dec 2, 2004 3:35:45 PM
Lets have real driver testing. Lets have three colors of plates. If you get a score of say 85% on your test, both driving and verbal and written you get a green plate. Above 70 % orange. Above 55% red. Green plates can go anywhere anytime. Orange can use the freeways at any time except rush hour. Red stay on secondary roads. Below 55% no plate, no license no car.
This way when your on th3e freeway you may feel that you will be reasonably safe and among those who have a clue.
Take it from there. this is a solution.
Posted by: Bill Janes at Mar 14, 2005 1:56:08 AM
Trevor Roberts (above) wrote:
I don't see how letting people out of a side road can be considered as good driving. The fact of the matter is that there are "A" roads and "B" roads. When you stop to let someone on to an "A" road you are effectively disrupting traffic on the "A" road which then becomes a "B" Road.
Then there are those who deliberately cut through the "B" roads because they know that some mug will let them out onto the "A" road.
In reply:
Here's the secret to keeping traffic moving in every direction... DON'T STOP,
simply observe, anticipate vehicles emerging and you'll be able to just slow
down slightly and flash one or two out.
Here's another crazy idea... Why do car drivers rush up to red traffic
lights and stop (to pick their nose)? Try this... Slow down when approaching
red traffic lights, aim to arrive just as it turns to green and accelerate
through safely.
The concept is to keep the vehicle moving at all times, and help others
to do the same. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
This is a technique I've used for years as a HGV driver. Getting a 38 tonne
artic on the move from stationary is slow.. so you learn to keep it rolling.
Try it it works!
Posted by: James at May 4, 2005 5:58:05 PM