Tax 'em by the mile !

[B4WEDI]

Is this where we are headed Mr. Orwell ??

AP Interview: Transportation secretary says taxing how much we drive may replace gasoline tax -- Newsday.com

......."The system would require all cars and trucks be equipped with global satellite positioning technology, a transponder, a clock and other equipment to record how many miles a vehicle was driven, whether it was driven on highways or secondary roads, and even whether it was driven during peak traffic periods or off-peak hours...... The devices also could be programmed to charge higher rates to vehicles that are heavier, like trucks that put more stress on roadways. "

How would this effect your style ??

[soldiermedic]

I don't see it happening. The costs and logistics of it would be huge and impractical. There would also be so much public outcry about big brother tracking you everywhere that it would be a nightmare for any law makers trying to publish it.

Steve

[walter1]

My style would be to wire around it or otherwise foil the system.

Horese didn't have odometers...just insert grass.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by soldiermedic

There would also be so much public outcry about big brother tracking you everywhere that it would be a nightmare for any law makers trying to publish it.
Steve

Easy-Pass, it's already started.

[moosetags]

Soldiermedic, you just said the magic words, "huge and impractical" ; that's the government way.

Brian

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by B4WEDI

Is this where we are headed Mr. Orwell ??

AP Interview: Transportation secretary says taxing how much we drive may replace gasoline tax -- Newsday.com

......."The system would require all cars and trucks be equipped with global satellite positioning technology, a transponder, a clock and other equipment to record how many miles a vehicle was driven, whether it was driven on highways or secondary roads, and even whether it was driven during peak traffic periods or off-peak hours...... The devices also could be programmed to charge higher rates to vehicles that are heavier, like trucks that put more stress on roadways. "

How would this effect your style ??

There would be sooo much cheating. Just do what truck drivers do give the GPS antenna a silver hat. A sheet of aluminum foil and a rubber band.
The current theory is if you buy more gas you drive further. I know that has some flaws but suggesting changing it to monitoring each vehicle? You have got to be kidding.

[Gene]

Insurance companies have tried something similar in technology in Europe to make sure people don't speed, run stop signs and traffic lights, etc. Last I read about, it the program was voluntary and those that enrolled got lower rates—that was a few years ago. A rental car company tried the same thing a few years ago charging people more if they drove too fast, etc.; the outcry was loud enough they abandoned it.

The computers in late model vehicles record your speed. They may also record braking too by now. If you are in an accident you can count on that record being brought into court if you go there, and maybe by the insurance company if you don't. Parents use GPS to track teenagers (I would have loved that—"what's he doing on Lover's Lane with his girlfriend?").

Obviously, GPS could be used for the idea of taxing per mile, insurance rates and traffic tickets.

Many states base part of their vehicle registration fees on weight. The heavier the vehicle, the more wear on the roads. Same with tolls—more axles, more weight, more toll. It seems to make sense those who drive the most with the heaviest vehicles should pay more. I know this affects rural drivers the most because we drive a lot all the time. I certainly don't like paying more. I don't like paying my estimated tax every quarter. But, how can you argue it's not fair?

The trucking industry may carry our water for us.

I am sure flaming will start now.

Gene

[ROBERT CROSS]

GM/ Corvette have been fighting this battle for awhile now.

Car black box privacy threat • The Register

[Jim & Susan]

.....and the Gument would never give, er, I mean LOAN, private businesses $2 trillion to "help" the "economy".......

[Jim Foster]

The system for implementing this intrusive system is already in place, up and running. It just isn't being used for tax purposes yet.

"On Star", the "safety system" being sold on many new cars, keeps track of your location using satellite (GPS). It communicates out by cell phone. It has access to your vehicles on board computer, and can e-mail you when you have driven far enough that your car needs service. The on-board computer retains data on just about every aspect of what goes on with your car for diagnostic purposes.

As long as your car can be "seen" by GPS satellites, and is within cell phone range (which is nearly everywhere these days) you can be tracked.

Whether you are being tracked is another issue.

If they can see the miles you have driven to tell you that you need an oil change, and can communicate with the car to unlock your doors, then tracking for tax purposes is not a giant leap but only a small step.

Aren't computers great?

[Scotty C]

This won't be all that expensive to mandate. Not any more so than requiring safety features in new cars or emissions tests. The technology involved is relatively cheap, no more complicated than a Cell Phone.

I personally don't like it. Not because it's a Big Gov'ment program, but because I fail to see how it will help drive down carbon emmissions, reduce consumption or promote efficiency.

Instead of paying more because I'm chugging so much gas at 14-18mpg in my truck, I'll be paying the same price per mile as somebody driving a fuel efficient car.

This has more to do with maintaining revenues when consumption declines and people start driving electric cars.

[Ike T]

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

Aren't computers great?

That's why I have vehicles that don't have any computers in them.

Tim

[markdoane]

If you think they will adopt this and then eliminate the current gas tax, then you haven't been paying attention.

Within a decade we'll be paying the same or higher gas tax, plus a mileage and weight tax, to drive on their privatized toll roads.

And if you own an electric vehicle, we'll have a special kilowatt tax for you too!

[CanoeStream]

Now that's evil! Gives a whole new meaning to Yard-a-Pult

Householders to be charged for each flush of toilet
.
.
.
.
not here at least - it's australia folks and they've got a heckuva drought

[eubank]

Boy, I'd like to see them try this on my MG. The speedometer waggles around like a flag in the wind.

Lynn

[DFord79]

All this has renewed my enthusiam for a frame off resotration of my old 79 F-250. I am halfway there with new running gear already. it just needs a new wireing harness and a new body..damn..I hate computers even more now.

[53flyingcloud]

It' more or less in place already.
The software is out there, up and running now.. to the point of targeting your vehicle's data specifically.
Here's an example..crude form but..it's just a question of software driven..
Datastorm Users
Here's some examples of the remote-control features that are already in place~
1.Open/close your doors locks.
2.start/stop the engine,
3."fence" in the vehicle's coordinates for intrusion/boundaries alarms,
4.speed/heading in real-time,
5.distance traveled recalled per days/hours,
6.automatic shut off if vehicle travels outside the fenced boundaries..anti thief,
7.real-time GPS forwarding to law-enforcement agencies,
8.fuel consumptions,
9.real-time audio/video communication/monitoring with occupancy of vehicle.
Just to name a few things that can be performed at will.
Of course, if you are a big enough "fish",
they do have the abilities to bring up a series of satellite just for you and...
Track you till (_) freezes over..

[maccamper]

One place to express your thoughts about the idea of taxing miles driven: Welcome to the White House and select the "Contact Us" tab at the top right of the page.

Nancy Mac

[knunut]

It's called "On Star" it's capable of all that the Gov't want's and more.

[Gator1]

I think the most effective argument against this is that it taxes gas hogs at the same rate as more fuel efficient vehicles. I suppose the government would attempt to "weight" the per mile rate eventually, but that is already done effectively by taxing gas - burn more gas, pay more tax.

Of course, with the current trend to tax and spend, I wouldn't put it past them to tax BOTH mileage and gas eventually. I can see it now:

Step 1. Enact a .25 cent per mile tax
Step 2. Listen to the howls of rage from the greenies with fuel efficient vehicles who are now paying taxes at the same rate as the evil people hauling Airstreams with Suburbans
Step 3. Enact a gas tax to make the heavy consumers pay more
Step 3.5 Don't repeal Step 1 (How often do taxes get repealed?)
Make sure your elected official knows you are watching!!

Jim