4 Tuesday, February 19, 2002
NEWS
People ponder need for national ID cards nIDENTITY: Loads of information can be stored on a microchip, but could cause threat to American privacy By Cynthia Pangestu
Daily Titan Staff Writer As a result of the Sept. 11 attacks, the idea of creating national identification cards has sparked public interest. National ID cards have been constantly recommended in the past and consistently rejected by Americans. The purpose of the cards would be to enhance national security, unmask potential terrorists and guard against illegal immigrants, according to the national Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). Places such as Europe, Hong Kong and many others have adopted the idea and currently use this system. A national ID card would limit the many types of identification in the United States — such as social security cards, driver’s licenses and military IDs — to one form. The concept of “smart cards” embedded with computer chips as ID cards are now gaining favor. Unlike magnetic strips, these cards can hold massive amounts of a person’s information. EPIC posted on its Web site that the chip could represent the most tamper-proof type of ID card, possibly including a digital scan of a thumbprint or iris. Currently, a Senate bill also seeks to create these new cards as visas for foreign immigrants and visitors, which will make it easier for authorities to detect and deport visa
violators. ID card for CSUF faculty, staff and Many security experts believe the students. idea of a new form of identificaVictoria Nichols, a supervisor for tion is a critical weapon in the fight the TitanCard Center, said the camagainst terrorism. The cards, linked pus ID card is a way to access the to a giant database, would be invalu- school database. able in preventing terrorists from The cards are scanned through operating under false readers and tracked by identities, EPIC social security number. said. The information on the The proposal of TitanCard is limited to “It would be basic student informathe new cards may contain massive tion and allows students amounts of personal scary to lose to access numerous caminformation, medical, pus services. criminal, insurance “I don’t think it’s an a national records and possibly invasion of privacy,” even buying habits. Nichols said of the idea ID card The advantages of a national ID card. to these cards would “What I worry about because it is more is how so much be the assistance to law enforcement and information is centralsecurity personnel, ized. Also, students are your whole thereby improving always losing their ID national security. cards. It would be scary identity.” According to to lose a national ID card preliminary EPIC because it is your whole research, this new identity.” Victoria card would speed the Disadvantages of the Nichols, verification process cards are that agencies and make it more conwould have massive venient for travelers amounts of personand airlines. al data. If authorities Donna Farmer, became too trusting of president of a New York-based the new system, it may open doors Smart Card Alliance, said North to forgers and hackers. If lost or stoAmericans’ smart card use jumped len, EPIC concludes that a person’s to 37 percent in 2000 due to the identity could be put on hold for a increasing demand from corporate period of time. and college campuses. The chip Many others fear that the new cards are used for identification, system will facilitate discrimination building access and making pay- and target minorities. Also, more ments. problems and complexities may “It’s like a PC in your pocket,” arise from the situation. Farmer said. “It’s the best tool to “I think it helps with security up protect from privacy and fill secu- to a certain point,” said Eric Houng, rity gaps.” an art major. “They need to set a Cal State Fullerton is among the limit on what information should be many campuses to use card technol- on the card, especially factors that ogy. The TitanCard is the official are irrelevant to the sake of national
California’s number is up, freeway exit signs redone nTRANSPORTATION: Caltrans replaces old placards with updated versions; the Golden State is last to conform By Cynthia Pangestu
Daily Titan Staff Writer Just as California became one of the last states adopted into the nation, it is also the last to number its freeway exits. Unlike the other 49 states, California freeway exits list only street names and distance. In the 1950s, California was the first state to place mile post markers along highways. A decade later, after the interstate system developed extensively, the government required exit numbers on freeway signs. As an experiment in the 1970s, California installed a few numbers on certain exits, but stopped due to high cost. California received an exemption because the mile posts were said to be sufficient enough. The idea of adding numbers recurred continuously throughout the years. The idea for change finally came after the years of pressure from the federal and lowerranking California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) officials. Now with an order by Gov. Gray Davis and the head of Caltrans, Jeff Morales, the installation of exit numbers began Jan. 31. “Many of the signs on our high-
ways were put in place 30 to 40 years ago and are due for replacement,” Morales said. “When sign age is a factor, the signs will be replaced with new ones containing the exit number.” Caltrans spokesman Dennis Trujillo said there are three main reasons for the new exit numbers. The first is that many signs need the upgrading. Second, the new technology in the sign industry makes the signs a brighter green with a higher reflectivity as a safety element. Third, the new signs will have an energy saving component because additional lighting will not be needed because of the reflectivity. There will be 23,000 new signs at 5,800 interchanges on 92 state and federal highways in California. The process is estimated to cost $40 million and take up to three years to complete. Rose Melgoza, spokeswoman for the Orange County District of Caltrans said the process of posting signs will have little affect on traffic since most of the work will be done on the shoulder and gore points. Although costly and time consuming, Caltrans hopes new signs will make it easier on drivers who are looking for their off ramps. “It is one way of helping the motoring public to find their way and maintain good traffic flow,” Melgoza said. The numbering of exits could possibly reduce accidents caused by the result of drivers swerving to avoid missing their exits. “Numbering exits will help travelers find their way in areas
unfamiliar to them, determine distances and travel mileage,” Morales said. “The new signs will be much more visible at night and thus increase highway safety.” The new numbers will not only be a benefit to tourists, but to all California residents. It will help pinpoint the location of a stranded motorist. Also, it may be easier for automobile clubs and the California Highway Patrol to locate someone. Phuong Tran, a biology major, said she approves of the new numbers because she travels frequently. “I’ve been to other states like Illinois and the numbering system is very helpful there,” Tran said. “You don’t have to be a tourist to get lost in California. I think our freeway systems are complex and the residents commute from everywhere to everywhere.” “There are so many places to go. Plus, if I get lost or have a flat, I could probably remember the road number better than I could remember a road name. After all, not everybody has a navigation system in their cars.” Sign replacement will start from freeways south to north and west to east. The posted numbers will be determined by the number of miles from the beginning of the route. For instance, if the exit of Yorba Linda Boulevard is 10, the next exit, Chapman Avenue is two miles away and will be exit 12. Numbering began on Feb. 1 in Orange County on the Culver exit on northbound Interstate 5.
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