[CLUE-Talk] DRIVers -- a new form of national id?

[Jeffery Cann]

Greetings.

To my fellow advocates of sound policy -- The American Association of Motor 
Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) has an interesting new recommendation in 
response to the 9/11 tragedy:

http://www.aamva.org/drivers/drvIDSecurityExecutiveSummary.asp

This is the greatest problem with 'knee-jerk' policy decisions -- no one 
stops and asks the question:  Will this policy actually accomplish its stated 
goals?  Unfortunately, their summary does not explain how these policies will 
secure our highways.

My question:  What benefits could I actually receive from this policy?

If the AAMVA policy to 'produce a uniform, secure, and interoperable 
driver's license/ID card to uniquely identify an individual' were 
implemented, what would be the temptations of the U.S. and Canadian 
governments to implement additional policies to track individuals?  This is 
an unforseen consequence of such policy recommendations.

In addition, in September, President Bush was "not even considering the 
idea."  Here is a summary Washington Post article about the Congressional 
opposition to a National ID program (from Nov 19, 2001)

http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2001/1119/web-card-11-19-01.asp

The U.S. and other countries already have a _narrowly applied_ identification 
system -- the passport. It's required use is sharply limited due to our 
Constitution, United Nations privacy, and freedom of association and right to 
travel principles.  

Finally, we have another 'de facto' id -- our beloved social security 
numbers.  Because of the rampant misuse of SSNs, it is easy to conduct 
'identity theft'.  In fact, my recently arrived Social Security Statement 
states prominently at the top 'Prevent identity theft -- protect your Social 
Security number'.  Won't the same problem happen if any bouncer at a bar can 
steal my 'national id' when he checks my age? (not that it happens too often 
any more ... :^P

If you wish to voice your (positive or negative) opinion, please contact 
Linda Lewis, the President and CEO of AAMVA (contact info below).  Please be 
polite -- refer to the Netiquette rules for a quick refresher:
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

God speed.
Jeff

Linda Lewis, President and CEO
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22203
   +1 703-522-4200
   llewis at aamva.org
   http://www.aamva.org/