<![CDATA[Jalopnik: nanny state]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: nanny state]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/nannystate http://jalopnik.com/tag/nannystate <![CDATA[Embeded RFID Chips Add Big Brother To New York Driver's Licenses]]> For just $30 extra, New York state residents can opt for a new Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), complete with RFID chip. But why would you want to shill out that extra coin on top of the $50 you already have to pay for a normal license? The selling point is that the radio frequency identification chip in the EDL allows a humble state ID to act as a passport of sorts. It can be scanned by authorities to identify US citizens entering the state from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean...though we're not sure exactly how you're supposed to get into those countries in the first place without an actual passport. What about privacy and security concerns? Oh, don't worry; the government has measures in place.

Officials say that no personal information will be stored on or transmitted by the chip — only an identification number. But the Ron Paul supporters conspiracy theorists will no doubt see this as another step closer to a totalitarian government. We're no fans of an impending nanny-state either, but what do you think? Do RFID IDs have a legitimate use or will they simply lead to an Orwellian future? [cnet via fashionfunky]

]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5051037&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[British Driving Test Now Judges Eco-friendly Motoring Aptitude]]> The nanny state has added one more criteria to their driver licensing tests: Eco-friendly driving skills. The Telegraph reports that the new testing is being implemented to comply with EU regulations, with government officials stating that motorists practicing the eco-friendly driving techniques could see savings of up to a month's worth of fuel over the course of a year. Basically, it's the same thing our automakers are promoting with the help of Ah-nold, except ours isn't mandated or federally funded. Heck, we don't even have driver's ed! While motorists won't fail the test due to poor environmental scores, we figure it's only a matter of time before remote CO2 monitoring stations are around every bend, checking pollution output and photographing the plates of any gross offenders. You've been warned. [Telegraph.co.uk, Image: Getty Images]

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