Trackers

As of July 2008, Bermuda has implemented a law that all cars need to be electronic registered with TCD (Transport Control Department). What this does is keeps track of all registered cars on the island, but mainly helps the government hunt down unlicensed cars on the island.

Ironically, what this also does is keeps track of who's going where and when. 'Radars' are positioned at certain stops on the island that will electronically read off the tags of licensed cars as they drive by these stops. An infringement of privacy? You betcha! When this plan first came out, many local and expat alike, complained about privacy issues, many citing that this is the government's way of keep track of everyone's coming and goings.

I say fear not, the government, like any government is too darn lazy to be bothered with everyone's business. Yes, there are only 60,000+ residents in Bermuda and this should not be an arduous task for the government should they decide to track everyone, but really, it's Bermuda. They have enough of a backlog with immigration (just hear that a friend got her renewal work permit approved which only took 15 months!), that you can bet the same will take place with the transportation sector. Although...expats need not worry so much. Your name pops up, it's ok because it's practically meaningless to a local bureaucrat. I guess this is why the locals were upset about the new licensing program. I am sure they don't want their very own knowing what they're upto.

So how'd the government do? Well, they managed to collect close to USD $300,000 in the form of fees and fines on unlicensed vehicles, with the aid of the electronic tagging system.

Which begs the question, now that all cars are technically registered on the island, how will the government really use that tagging system going forward? After all isn't the government made up of people. Nosy people?