h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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you get to blame benny hill for changing the tape in the central computer

Maybe, as a tribute to this QI, you should award points in reverse.

If anybody wants to meditate while watching the traffic ..... http://www.quattroruote.it/telecamere/ViewPoint.cfm?ZonaVp=1&Camera=1

>>Maybe, as a tribute to this QI, you should award points in reverse.<<

I think I may have to now!!

NSBE - feel free,now, to quibble with my wording. Where could I have improved it?

>> in Italy the driving licence you get starts with the points already on it, and for each offence you have points taken AWAY<<

Yeah, in France too, isn't that the normal system In any case, getting or losing points is just bookkeeping. Which is why in Post 72 I mentioned *getting* new points by undergoing extra driving lessons.

"getting or losing points is just bookkeeping" --> up to the deterrent effect of 'losing' something which mentioned of course. Bloody mathematical mind

I read that as you agreeing with Feisor that there was an upper limit of additive points rather than a lower limit of minimum points before your licence is rescinded.

And the rest was about planting substitutes.

I certainly didn't feel anyone up until taff correctly expressed the idea of decreasing points (and even then he didn't get it wholly right but close enough I felt).

I just automatically viewed it as equivalent. Plus, I wouldn't have guessed that the decreasing system was the point, because it looked natural to me. The drawbacks of being a French mathematician you may say

So is there no point system in Britain?

I suppose that is a trap when dealing with an international audience.

There is a points system in Britain - but it's the additive kind.

A trap, a trap... It's a fascinating feature I'd say

BTW, mild speeding (more than 5kph extra, but less than, eeer... 20?) in France costs you 1 point

QI - "Hold on lads, I've got an idea"
------------------------


In reverse order then....




Elf Bonus (+2)
------------------------
Clive


Klaxon (-5)
------------------------

Mu Beta (5)
"Nothing."

Feisor (71)
Taff (92)
HygenicDispenser(108)
"GAIN too many points and you loose your licence!"

Toybox (107)
'There's a celebration'




DGI Bonus (+1)
------------------------
Notsobaldingeagle (24) 'fraud and the Italian system'

Notsobaldingeagle - (118) - For playing along and giving others a chance, damn good of you.




QI Bonus (+6)
------------------------
Taff (57) - 'Repayment of fines'





Correct (+3)
------------------------
Taff (114)
"points taken OFF their licence"







Total to be added or subtracted.
------------------------

MuBeta -5
Feisor -5
Toybox -5
HygenicDispenser -5
Taff +4
NSBE +2
Clive +2

>>A trap, a trap... It's a fascinating feature I'd say<<

Quite right.

Interesting...


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8350539.stm

Good QI question, Clive; tantalisingly obvious but not obvious enough to work out straight away (or at all in my case )

Out of interest, what happens if a UK licence holder jumps a red light in Italy? Could one get UK points knocked off one's licence?

my mum got away with speeding

my grandad was in the car with her and needed the toilet

she got caught by a camera, but with a letter from the Dr. due to an ongoing medical condition, my grandad suffered from she got let off

grandad is no longer with us i'm afraid

and mum is in hospital tonight after having keyhole surgery today

?

I was wondering that myself throughout this. I've never driven abroad so I'm genuinely unsure.

At a guess any penalty imposed fines are probably paid locally, and custodial sentences the same, as far as points go, I 'm guessing by some treaty or another the penalty follows you across borders, but I don't know.



And thank you. It was just the sort of small but quirky and unique detail that makes a good QI question. I'm pleased it went on as long as it did and everyone got something out of it.

Hope she's okay Taff.

I'd better get myself put on the scoreboard...