In the UK, the Highways Agency has set up speed cameras that record the license plate numbers of speeding drivers and flash them up on a screen but do not issue penalties. Trials have shown that drivers get the message quicker when they see their own registration shown below the speed limit.
It’s similar to the mirror effect in psychology, where a person is less likely to do something they think is immoral if they can see themselves doing it in a mirror. Some shops have started using mirrors as a detterent to theft because of that, and it works.
Another similar idea is highlighted in this NY Times article. It talks about a new website called Platewire.com where you can post the license plate number of any dangerous drive you come in contact with.
Just like with any consumer reports or epinions review type website, information starts getting spread around more easily, so reputation becomes more important. People start realizing there is more than just tickets to worry about, there’s public perception.
I think they’re fantastic ideas, using human psychology and incentives instead of just issuing tickets and collecting money.
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us already came to the table with a pretty substantial background knowledge of Techron’s superior performance. Personally, I’ve been using Techron on the Red Rocket since the government began adding ethanol to the fuel supply, and I know guys from the garage I used to work in who depend on it as much as the average motorist depends on unleaded fuel. With that kind of widespread professional following, you would think Techron would already have the fuel additive market cornered, but you would be wrong. As a result of the current economic situation, the fuel crisis has cast energy companies in roles as the bloodthirsty villains, making consumers quick to finger the big boys like Chevron as the reason for the $4-a-gallon-for-gas epidemic. The truth is far less conspiracy-theorist, but the average consumer doesn’t understand the finer points of objectivism economics [I used to, but that was back in college, many, many a keg stand ago] and opts instead to inaccurately place the blame on the oil industry. That, coupled with the fact that there are no official standards by which to evaluate [or rank] the effectiveness of fuel additives, leaves Chevron between a rock and slippery, lubricated place [so to speak]. So Chevron did what most would do in a similar situation and turned to the niche market that, although relatively small, has shown them the most support and understanding: the gearheads. By opening their doors to me and my fellow auto bloggers, Chevron was obviously seeking a forum of understanding in the group of people who know their engines best.
