August 24, 2005
Malta launches "Emission Alert" by SMS
Another story for my new "citizens turn into informants" category. This time the Malta Transport Authority has embarked on a campaign called Emission Alert, through which it is calling on people to send an SMS with the registration number of the vehicles that are emitting too much fumes and the authority will then call these vehicles for an inspection. Yesterday, the Jakarta Post reported on a similar campaign.
"Vodafone and go mobile users may send an SMS to number 5061 1899 with the registration number of the vehicle emitting excessive fumes. The authority will call the owner of the car for an inspection of the vehicle within three days."
ADT chief executive officer Gianfranco Selvagi said the system the authority had in place was “fool proof”. But when asked how the authority was going to ensure that it does not take action against owners of cars who may be victims of pranks, Mr Selvagi replied with a non-answer, saying he did not wish to divulge this information since he was inviting people to test out the authority's system."
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2005/08/009667.htm
