In reading an article on energy efficiency, I was interested in the discussion on vehicle to vehicle networks (V2V).  These are defined as ad hoc information exchanges between vehicles for a variety of information on blind spots, traffic, etc.

Given the US policy makers are looking to mandate this from 2017 according to the Wikipedia article linked above, my question would be the ability for a vehicle to opt out of the network.  This can be for a variety of privacy reasons, and some of them might be a question of ownership and safety for the owner, and some reasons might be less honest as to a get away car or other non-legal issues (not properly taxed or licensed, etc).    For example, in the US the driver is insured, and in Belgium the vehicle is insured.  Will the status of insurance or ownership impact the information provided?

But are we talking about adding intelligence to our networks, our objects, or our infrastructure?  In Belgium, like other countries, we already get free infrastructure traffic flow information both in terms of signage and free reports on radio and internet as to the status of the network. It is also dispensed over social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc).

I am curious to the development of V2V (or VANET) given its choice of bandwidth and its regulation/implementation.  Will this only end up being a national occurrence, or something that evolves per country in a different manner? Adding intelligence into the mix is good, if managed well and if it adds value.