Hopefully, there is a significantly greater turnout for the 2023 election as there has never been a better time for a change of direction, but meanwhile congratulations to the successful candidate.
Mike Baker
Bethlehem
Number plate recognition needed
I have noticed a huge upturn in the number of unlicensed and unwarranted vehicles around the area in the past two years.
I also note on television that the Australian and UK police, along with lots of others I'm sure, use number plate recognition to immediately stop vehicles that are unregistered, or where the owner is unlicensed, and have the power to have them removed from the road.
Why does this not seem to be done in New Zealand?
The only use of the technology I am aware of is for overparking in some Auckland suburbs.
If a law-abiding citizen was to have an accident with these vehicles, our insurance would insist that we - or our insurer - pay for the damage.
I have seen work vehicles with 2017 registrations showing on them, and I don't think that Covid lockdowns can be blamed as it is possible to register online.
I think that many such vehicles are driven by unlicensed drivers, which would mean that they get removed from the roads at the same time as the vehicles.
Alister Blair
Tauranga
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