Idea: New Challenge for Bad Drivers

UPDATE 3: Now, via Digg, comes youparklikeanasshole.com - a site where people can post pictures of people parking like assholes.

I couldn't get the site to work, maybe there's a traffic overload...

If it doesn't work for you, try this for an "SUV Challenge" - had my LOLing for a good 15 minutes

 

UPDATE 2: Just saw on digg that someone is making this idea happen.  A couple of frustrated commuters have created Platewire, a database for reporting bad driving, as well as thank yous and "flirts".  The site is still in its infancy and needs a LOT of work.  I wish I could brag that they got the idea from my blog, but their URL was purchased a month before this original post.  Regardless, they've got my support! 

 

Also check out an Australian version.

UPDATE: Seth Godin happens to get close to this idea with a post about the trucks who claim to be "Not Responsible for Objects Thrown from Road".  My favorite is the sign that says "Stay Back 500 Feet" (that's more than a football field back!).  Anyway, another target of this new idea could be keeping these truckers honest.

On the way home from work Friday I was unlucky enough to cross paths with a jerk driver.  You know the type: aggressively on your bumper, weaving through tight traffic without turn signals, and charging through "pink" stoplights (somewhere between yellow and red).  After this guy pissed me off and passed by, I saw him do the same with 20 other tired drivers ahead of me.  I thought about what a shame it was that jerk drivers like this went along unpunished - until the time when they ultimately cause an accident, and maybe even a death.  I wondered whether there was a way of "challenging" these jerks that would force them to improve their driving.

Then my mind wandered to an article in this month's Wired magazine about "Crowdsourcing".  Crowdsourcing refers to a growing trend in which a large group of people, who are mainly motivated by passion and doing good, come together to create a service.  Examples include iStockphoto.com, which is a collection of work from thousands of amateur and professional photographers and available for about $1 per download.  That's where many bloggers like myself find good, cheap stock photos.  Another example is SETI@Home, which provides software to 5 million volunteers interested in the search for extra-terrestrial life.  The software analyzes radio frequency data when the users' computers are in screen saver mode - thus creating the equivalent of the world's largest processing supercomputer.

How can Crowdsourcing solve the "unpunished jerk driver" problem?  Here's one idea: Use the power of millions of good drivers to build a database of bad drivers' license plates.  Think of it as somewhere between eBay buyer ratings and the sex offender database.  Here's how it might work:

• Set up a web site database where people can report bad drivers or check for reports on specific license plates.  I just registered www.RoadGrades.com as one potential name.
• Allow drivers to report a license number and state, as well as further details like type of car, offense, location, etc.
• To make it even easier for drivers, provide an SMS address or phone number where messages can be left.  An automated service or call center in India could transcribe it to the database.

The main incentive for the "crowd" to take the time to report bad drivers is that it gives these victims some feeling of empowerment.  Instead of getting angry or flipping the finger, you can hit the speed dial and put their number on the permanent record.

The potential uses of this system are many.  For example, parents could use it to check on the driving of their children.  Businesses could monitor the driving of their company vehicles (think "How's My Driving?" stickers).  And law enforcement could use it to support its case when prosecuting drunk or reckless drivers.  Net, the people who can and should have the power to punish these drivers now have the data they need to act.

Of course there are a lot of holes in my idea.  First, there's probably not much of a business model, so little incentive for myself or others to quit their day job and focus on this.  Second, there some potential for false reports (think angry boyfriend).  Third, the license plate is not publicly linked to individuals.  The parent might get blamed for his teenager's poor driving, for example.

Whether the idea would fly or not, it's a decent way to show how open information can be a challenge that pressures people to improve their behavior.  The jerk drivers who got away with their behavior for so long now have to worry about thousands of vigilantes souring their "records". And we're not talking about the government monitoring what you do in your own home; instead it's normal citizens reporting public behavior that can have serious negative impacts on others' lives.  It's closer to cameras in London that watch for crime - and act as a deterrent force on criminals.

In my next post I'll provide another example of how information and feedback can improve the open roads.

Comments

[Jason Ruebel]

I've thought of this before too! When I was about 8 years old, my neighbor buddy and I would stand by the street and write down the license plates of anyone who was speeding (I know, I was a geek). Of course, according to an 8 year old EVERYONE was speeding. We called the police to let them know our list, but they didn't seem very interested.

As far as the database of bad drivers, I'm pretty sure my name would be on that list at some point! The challenge is that while there ARE a few just flat out BAD drivers I bet it's more likely that there are many that happen to be late to pick their child up from daycare, had a rough day, and are frustrated that YOU were going so slow in front of them. Tomorrow when they wake up, they'll probably be a better driver again. I've been there.

You COULD apply something like the Ebay model...People in the database get "ratings" based on how many times they've been reported.

[Bob]

I thought my sister and I were the only ones who copied down the neighbors' plates!

Great point, Jason. Maybe a lot of the bad drivers are regular drivers who just have a bad day. BUT hitting the roads with anger is just as dangerous even if it happens rarely.

You don't curse your boss out if you have a bad day because you know there are ramifications. Shouldn't the same be with driving?

Bob

[Larry Boyd]

You have some great ideas about reporting bad drivers. The sticking point with reporting bad drivers is that states, North Carolina in my case, do not allow police officers to take enforcement action on a traffic offense based on a citizens complaint. Sure, they can attempt to locate the car and if they violate a law in the officers presence, then the officer can take enforcment action.

[Bob]

Agreed, Larry. It's unfortunate that law enforcement seems to discount the impact that everyday citizens can have in monitoring reckless drivers. But I suppose they are wary due to difficulty in proving the incident in a court.

But some states seems to encourage reporting at least via highway signs that say "report reckless driving...call *9".

In addition, I would love this program to be something that could give a prosecutor more proof that a driver is poor. Or a judge could use this reporting system to weight the right punishment.

[Aaron]

Hi guys,

Bloody good post. I agree, and these "jerk" drivers will be caught up with before too long. That whole concept of aggregating the views of millions of people is a big one.

The site is only a few months old, not officially out of beta at this stage, and already with thousands of ratings and members and growing very quickly.

This current version is really "Stage 1" or the basic foundations of the site. But the site is soon to take a completely new approach in the fundamental way that it works and users interact with it and each other.

Check out:

http://www.RatethePLATE.com.au/