Tech Policy Girl

The best thing about Smart cars is that their length is equal to the width of the average car, allowing the driver to fit into tight spots by parking perpendicular to the curb, essentially creating a parking space where there isn't one.

Unfortunately California Smart car owners will have to lobby for a change in state law in order to reap the parking benefits of their fun little rides. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that state law requires both the front and rear tire on the curb-side of the car to be within 18 inches of the curb. The article mentions that other states have similar laws.

Since the current city administration seemingly views parking fines as a tax the voters don't have to approve (and issues violations copiously,) I recommend Smart owners not take their chances.

I was reading last week that Mississippi's state congress is considering legislation to prevent the installation of traffic enforcement cameras in the state. There is almost no opposition to the bill amendment.

Enforcement cameras are a hotly debated issue. Some reports claim that they save lives and decrease the number of traffic accidents. Other reports claim that they make no difference and are an invasion of privacy.

What's interesting about the debate in Mississippi is that the legislators' concern is about keeping money out of the pockets of the camera system vendors and not about the privacy or safety of their constituents (or even the income the cameras could generate for their municipalities!)