Variation on an old theme

How about a variation on the old, even- and odd-numbered registration-plates theme?

This will require constant help from the media, which could prove quite a sensible filler to some inane Breakfast Show.

In close collaboration with the Police, they will update commuters on the traffic allowed on the road:

Cut-off time: 5.30am. Until then the system will not have started.

From 5.30 to 6.30am (of the same day, of course) only the evens. From 6.30 to 7.30am the odds. From 7.30 to 8am (again) the evens.

From 8 to 8.30am (again) the odds.

From 8.30am onwards the evens and the odds.

What about those having personalized number plates with not one single digit in sight? There might be a way.

Exempt: buses, ambulances, emergency services, police, cars carrying more than three passengers like school vans, and motor bikes.

The time brackets should alternate on successive days. If the evens take the first time slot one day, the odds take the next day.

The presence of so many cops at these times should prove a deterrent against abuse.

Of course, one will have to fine tune, fine tune and fine tune even more.

Should it be an utter failure, will we be losing more than we are now?

Joe Genovese Birkirkara