UK riders protest ID tags

British riders are up in arms over a proposal by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to make electronic tags a compulsory fitment to motorcycles, so they can be identified by roadside reading devices.

In a Big Brother-style move, the UK is in the process of installing a national numberplate reading system to its motorways, as a means of tracking unregistered vehicles and criminals.

The system has led to widespread 'rebirthing' of vehicles on false plates amid accusations that the DVLA has incorrect details on over 7 million licence-holders.

The DVLA complains that motorcycle numberplates are too easily missed by automatic reading devices and that a significant number of riders are not paying their road tax. The figures for the latter vary from around 16 (Department of Transport) to 37% (DVLA), depending on whose numbers you believe.

The British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) complains the electronic chip system is too expensive and poorly targeted.

It says: In its formal response the BMF say that while it condemns tax evasion, the proposed new system would also have civil liberties implications. It would track the law-abiding, not the criminals the system is trying to catch. "The law abiding motorcyclist would effectively be monitored in the same way as a paroled prisoner with an ankle tag," said BMF Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder.

Commenting further, Chris Hodder said: "While the BMF understands the problem, EVI is not the solution. It would not only be expensive to introduce but be largely ineffective in deterring the criminal and would only serve to monitor the honest and law abiding. We are fundamentally opposed to EVI and will vigorously resist any attempts to introduce such a scheme".

(Pic: BMF website)

BMF

DVLA