Cameras are already being used to identify and log every vehicle on the road. This technology can be enhanced by placing multiple radio frequency tags carrying the vehicle serial number on multiple parts including the chassis. Stolen cars, cars whose license plates were changed prior to the commission of a felony, and unregistered or uninsured cars can all be instantly identified. Robbers and murderers, if they use the road, are sure to be caught.

On November 18, 2005, police officer Sharon Beshenivsky was shot dead during a robbery in Bradford, England. She had served on the force for just nine months, had three children and two step-children, and was murdered on her daughter’s birthday. Automatic license plate recognition cameras identified the getaway car and led police directly to the murderers.

Some denounce this technology as Orwellian, but it is not the efficiency of law enforcement that defines an Orwellian state, it is arbitrary government. Freedom has never included the right to drive about anonymously (New York first required license plates in 1901). This technology simply allows license plates to be checked automatically. Without it, more innocents will fall victim to murderers, rapists and thieves.

Murderers, though they might have twisted minds, do not leap off buildings thinking they can fly, because they know they would die. Likewise, if the death penalty is combined with constantly improving crime detection, eventually cold-blooded murderers will know, with absolute certainty, that if they murder someone they will die. Their only recourse will be not to commit murder. They will then abstain from murder for the same reason they abstain from jumping off buildings.

This article is an extract from the book ‘Principles of Good Government’ by Matthew Bransgrove