Big Brother in Oklahoma

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT - Capitol Bureau The Oklahoman
Published: November 27, 2009

State officials are looking at beefing up the state’s electronic insurance verification system by setting up cameras across the state to randomly record vehicle tags.

Cameras set up at about 200 locations along selected highways would focus in on a tag’s bar code — found at the bottom of each tag — and record it. Bar code scanners would match the tag numbers with a national database containing real-time vehicle insurance information.

Vehicle owners without valid insurance would be mailed a ticket.

"That’s a horrible idea,” said Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. "It’s Big Brother at its finest.”

The proposed automated enforcement would expand Oklahoma’s existing system, which went online in July. The system now checks only Oklahoma vehicles; checks are made only when a vehicle owner has an encounter with a law enforcement officer, such as a traffic stop or being in an accident.

The new system could generate additional revenue for the state, which is in the midst of a revenue shortfall. Tax revenue for the state so far this fiscal year is about 22 percent below expectations.

Representatives from one company told legislators last session an expanded system could generate about $300 million annually. The state wouldn’t pay for the system; the company would be reimbursed from funds received from fines or administrative penalties.

"What we’re looking at really is only Oklahoma vehicles, but if the company has the ability to do non-Oklahoma vehicles they should present that in their information,” said David Beatty, project manager for Oklahoma’s compulsory insurance verification system at the state Public Safety Department.

Interested companies have until Dec. 23 to submit information about their systems.

If the department decides to pursue the idea, requests for price proposals, or bids, will be sought by the state Central Services Department.

A law establishing the computerized system was passed in 2006. Implementation delays occurred because it took longer than expected to get the policy information from all insurance companies.

Police departments across the state can sign up to use the state’s system, Beatty said. The insurance verification data is included in any vehicle tag check.

Having cameras and bar code scanners record random Oklahoma vehicle tag information is possible because of the new tags that motorists are required to buy this year. Oklahoma’s new vehicle tags include a bar code. All vehicle tags are to be replaced by the end of this year.

Reynolds during this year’s session raised questions about the bar codes on the plates, but was told they were simply for inventory purposes by the state Tax Commission. Now, he said the Public Safety Department’s plans confirm his suspicions.

"Are they going to use these cameras to see if people are speeding?” he asked. "Are they going to use these cameras to see any number of other things that might be wrong? But I don’t think the public wants to be filmed constantly. Are we going to have cameras in people’s bedrooms in their homes? We don’t need Big Brother.”