Pilot programs use GPS to charge road taxes

If you think the government is planning to track your car by GPS, keeping tabs on you everywhere you go, it looks like you're right — if you live in Oregon or the UK, that is. The Beaver State is running a federally funded test of a GPS-based system that replaces state gas taxes with pay-at-the-pump road usage tax. In the UK, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling says he'd like a similar system on a nationwide basis, with per-mile taxes of as much as £1.34. Our bet is that the UK plan will eventually fly, while in America, an alliance of civil libertarians on the left and anti-tax conservatives on the right, will torpedo any growth of this beyond the pilot stage. (Of course that doesn't mean the government won't still use GPS to keep tabs on you everywhere you go.)

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I can't believe the civil rights groups are organising lynching mobs here in the UK, they are all mesmerised by 'No duty on fuel'.

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Sorry that should say 'are not organising' I'm busy wallpapering with tin foil.

[digiguru @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I don't see what the problem is. Nothing wrong with the government knowing where you are (if you don't do anything wrong)

[Henning @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

GPS based toll collection is actually used in Germany. In January 2005 the system finished testing and is up and running. At the moment only trucks have to pay and only on the autobahns. But plans to extend the system exist. So this is nothing really revolutionary. More at http://www.toll-collect.com

[Patrick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

The major problem I see with this is that it will make driving a less fuel efficient vehicle more affordable. Right now if I fill up with 10 gallons of gas and go 500 miles, I pay the same as the guy in the SUV next to me that puts 10 gallons in and goes 150 miles. That's encouragement for him to buy something more efficient.

This system will have me pay more than him for the same amount of gas, basically punishing me for using less gas per mile. Add to that that heavier vehicles put more wear on the road than lighter vehicles, and it becomes even more clear why this makes no sense.

[The Role Of Gov't @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

#3 - it is not the role of government to track when and where I drive. The role of the government is to serve the people, not to place citizens under surveilance. Aside from privacy concerns, the only possible outcome of this technology is to expand the scope of government in the interest of expanding the tax base. After all, do you really think that per gallon tax fees will go away forever with this system? No - what will happen is that you will now have two sets of taxes - one on a per mile basis, and one on a per gallon basis - the sum total of which will undoubtedly be larger than before. And as far as privacy is concerned - to say that once we step out the door, we are open to surveilance and tracking by the government, without cause, is not an argument I'm willing to accept. Only in a state like Oregon would this type of legislation pass.

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Where is my local Lynch mob, I'm game for this.

[LTM @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

#3, you are kidding right? You are being sarcastic I hope or I don't even know where to start with a comment like that!

[dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

What a horrible idea! I thought we were trying to reduce emissions. The EPA would never let this pass, though I imagine auto makers would be behind it, SUV's have a higher markup than compacts and sedans... And who wouldn't want an suv if you get taxed the same amount as an economy car.

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Yeah let's make sure and stick the poor bastard that doesn't make much money and has to drive further because the cheap housing is far from the jobs. Freak. While we're at it, let's make HIM pay for the GPS unit and the install. That'll show him!

[GMack @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

#5 - you hit the nail on the head. In most states, you pay your gas tax at the pump, per gallon. And just as you said, it is one of the fairest taxes in the country - If I want to drive a heavy, gas guzzling SUV that will eat up the road, then I will pay more taxes for that right then the person driving the Prius. If I don't own a car and ride a bike instead, then I pay nothing.

It is about the only tax this is truly based on usuage and trying to mess with it is quite ridiculous.

[Awesom-o @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Digiguru, this is exactly the problem.

You may not be doing anything wrong now, but if you do something wrong, or the governement wants say that something you did was wrong, they will have their GPS proof.

It's not that it's so bad, it's just that we don't need to succumb to "big brother" just because it doesn't seem so bad.

Why do they have a right to know where I am?

[Russ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Agree with #5 & #11 - how could this tax be any more equitable than something proportional to the gas you guzzle! Singapore is also considering this (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/cgi-bin/a.cgi/ufWvxgKFEdimyLx57xBG9w).

Why am I not surprised there is a website dedicated to 'toll road news'??