Brits thinking about GPS tracking every car on the road

Wow, those Brits sure do love surveilling each other. Even as both Houses of Parliament conduct independent investigations on how nearly-constant CCTV monitoring is affecting British citizens, a group of researchers issued a report on future transportation policy that recommended the growing British traffic problem be solved by tracking every car on the road with GPS. While every-car tracking in the name of security is nothing new for the Brits -- they already do it with cameras -- the GPS scheme is primarily meant to reduce congestion and pollution, an idea we've definitely heard before. The researchers say that satellite-tracking will allow for variable speed limits and road-user access charges, making for faster journeys and fewer carbon emissions. The major hiccup in the plan, of course, is outfitting all 30 million cars in Britain with the appropriate transceivers, a rollout that the researchers say will take up to 10 years, but can be aided by requiring auto manufacturers to build the devices in -- something they claim is a "simple extension" to current GPS navigation units. Oh, and how do they plan to deal with those pesky personal privacy issues everyone's getting so worked up about? With "appropriate laws," of course! Yep, that'll be enough to keep those stalkers at bay.

[Chuckles McGee @ May 3rd 2007 7:52AM]

Invasions of privacy like this make me want to reach for my gun... oh wait, it's Britain, I can't have one!

[CorporateWhore @ May 3rd 2007 8:41AM]

If that all it takes for you to want to 'reach for my gun' then I'm glad the gun laws are there to protect those of us who are able to control themselves in a mature manner. How often do you feel these violent mood swings take control of you? Have you considered seeking help? Was your childhood an unhappy one? Did you suffer abuse or were you bullied at school? Have you recently been rejected by a partner? Or are you simply attempting to be amusing?
Your off the cuff comment was ill concieved and not at all amusing. What exactly would you do with your gun if you were allowed one?
Would you storm off to Downing street and demand the world be run your way? Or would you walk down your local high street murdering innocent passers by? Watching as the blood and tissue splatters on the street and shop windows , the witnesses run in terror from your almighty power. Well?
WHAT EXACTLY WOULD YOU DO WITH YOUR FUCKING GUN? TELL ME?

Oh my ... I seem to have lost control. Now, where are my pills.

[bob @ May 3rd 2007 6:18PM]

I would imagine this would have a negligible affect on total emissions to the climate, since driving becomes more attractive as a result, and traffic is merely evened out, although it probably would aid in clearing up pollution in cities caused by deadlocked cars whose catalytic converters have not yet warmed up in the morning rush to work. A much more sensible approach to clearing up this problem though is to remove cars from city centres and improve public transport systems along the same lines.

[Georgi @ May 3rd 2007 8:07AM]

And what prevents you from covering the "Device" with aluminum foil or painting over it with metallic paint if it's integrated into some other part on the body?

[Jacob Magnusson @ May 3rd 2007 8:24AM]

@Chuckles McGee
You do realize that it's the US that is stupid for allowing everyone guns, right?

[Razor @ May 3rd 2007 8:45AM]

Wrong.

[Chuckles McGee @ May 3rd 2007 9:01AM]

"Invasions of privacy like this make me want to reach for my gun... oh wait, it's Britain, I can't have one!"
"You do realize that it's the US that is stupid for allowing everyone guns, right?"

You do realize that people who ask loaded questions for purposes other than parody are fools? I intended my comment to be taken in a light-hearted manner, while pointing out another aspect of Britain's security policies. I have no comment on US gun control. Please stop asking loaded questions.

[scum1 @ May 3rd 2007 9:09AM]

Think 1984. Someday once the government goes overboard you will wish you had the means to revolt. A gun or 2 will come in handy. What with our wide open border with Mexico you could never keep guns out of the USA even if you tried. Most everyone I know owns several guns and they never go and shoot up a school. Hell In Japan and China people have attacked and killed multiple people with knives. Crazy is crazy. That said Brits are heading down a path that leads to total government control of your every move. Sure they will say it's for some other purpose but in the end it's for control. Soon they will chip you at birth for your own good of course. I'm sure the USA will follow. Bring on the revolution!

[wabguard-email @ May 3rd 2007 9:14AM]

Thats why DC has the highest crime rate, and no one is allowed a gun there too.
Its basic human nature for criminals to go after easy targets who pose no threat. If your in say TX, they think twice because a lot of people pack there. Crime is a lot lower there.

[Vanillacide @ May 3rd 2007 8:29AM]

More evil 'Big Brother' moves from the worlds most odious 'Nanny State' government ... or 'Big Nanny' as I like to call them. George Orwell's book '1984' ended with jackboot stamping on humanity's face forever, the UK's Labour government version has humanity over it's knee and is spanking it forever.

Control freak, beaurocratic, high tax, war mongering, pension destroying, public sector inflators, spin merchants, who like spying on people ... let's hope they take the kicking of the century in today's local elections. :-)

[Xander @ May 3rd 2007 8:37AM]

In the Netherlands this is actually already an official government plan: over here the plan is to implement variable charging for road use by similar devices.
Only deviation is that they plan to implement it not based on GPS but on the European alternative Galileo (that is planning to be more precise than GPS, but, more importantly, can not be shut off by the US military at their every whim).
But now that Galileo is suffering delays we have to see if these plans also get delayed or that they use GPS instead.

[Ian Jardine @ May 3rd 2007 8:40AM]

And sales of tin foil went through the roof!

[Ben H @ May 3rd 2007 8:41AM]

Jacob Magnusson, you do realize that if you want to call someone stupid, don't look stupid by typing like a five year old. I know that you are probably mad because your soccer, I mean football, team lost to the US, but it is no reason to look retarded.

Secondly, is it stupid to protect a liberty that is guaranteed or is it stupid to ignore personal freedom 'supposedly' guaranteed?

[Daley @ May 3rd 2007 8:42AM]

Not to be too political, but this is just another fine example of the awful job politicians in Britain are doing at present, to what they call "combat terroism"!

Of course, it also helps them further rip off the British motoring public, with crap about carbon emissions and pricing schemes!

[Mikey @ May 3rd 2007 8:58AM]

we enjoy surveying each other, not surveilling each other, idiots.

Welcome to the UK, Home of dogging

[coffee @ May 3rd 2007 10:27AM]

think V for Vendetta!

[scum1 @ May 3rd 2007 3:23PM]

V for Vendetta! Yes that is one of my favorite movies of all time!

[Chris @ May 3rd 2007 11:36AM]

Thats not exactly true. Crime rates are a function of poverty level and population denisity. Firearms are just a tool used in crime. If everyone in the world had a gun that wouldn't mean that crime would drop to zero.

[CraigS @ May 3rd 2007 9:38AM]

About 6 months ago there was a Labour MP on the radio talking about tracking cars using a GPS system. Not sure how a SatNav type device "uplaods", but that point didn't seem to bother him.

Typical British government though. I bet you any money that the director of the supplying company is a friend of major Labour MP. Either that or they are a director.

[Vanillacide @ May 3rd 2007 9:45AM]

CraigS, I wouldn't be suprised either.

Which makes me think, how could I forget corrupt (cash for honours) in my list above of the Labour government's attributes?

[joe @ May 3rd 2007 9:44AM]

Old news, this story has been floating around for years now. The truth of the matter is as much as we Brits love feeling safe and secure we also cant stand spending money when it could go into our salaries.

Unless the privatise the service it will never happen, as someone will undoubtedly find some suspiciously hairy women to complain how the money should of gone on baby monitors and books for schools.

Americans are lucky, at least when you elect an idiot he messes with other countries...

[tekdroid @ May 3rd 2007 9:47AM]

hackers easily disabling gps on every car for a small fee...

[Julian Bond @ May 3rd 2007 9:59AM]

They're also talking about on board RFIDs embedded in number plates.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/May/may-1-to-may-6/onboardspythreat/?&R=EPI-90912
This allegedly will make it possible to positively identify a car or Motorcycle remotely. This then enables remote checking of license evasion along with automatic speed cameras. It will also make it easier to implement congestion charging along the London model.

One interesting fact. They claim to be able to read the RFID from 100m and even when another car is in the way. How does that work then? When RFIDs normally only work at 1-2m range.

[mike crowley @ May 3rd 2007 10:28AM]

Variable speed limits! That seems like a good way to get out of a ticket. "officer I swear, 5 minutes ago the sign said 50!"

[Ian Jardine @ May 3rd 2007 10:42AM]

Xander,
When was the last time you lost a GPS signal because the US Military shut it off?
You think that Galileo will be maintained if there was an imminent threat? Think again, both Galileo and GPS would be shut down for the same threat. The US and the EU have a clear understanding of this.
Galileo more accurate? A bit economic with the truth. To get the pin point accuracy of Galileo the user will have to pay a healthy premium for that service, while GPS is free for all. (Thanks US... Don't mention it). Oh and GPS can give the same accuracy if there was a need. So I guess you will happily pay the premium to help the Galileo project recoup the billions it is spending duplicating what already exists for free? Me? I am happy to use the GPS for free. It's pity the EU couldn't have found another project, to benefit us all and spent the billions on a new innovative service.
I personally would not be surprised to see Galileo go belly up, or be an annual budget drain on the EU, as nobody has really tested the need/demand for the pin point accuracy pay service.

Just my 2 Euros.

[D W @ May 3rd 2007 11:45AM]

For those in the US slamming the UK Government policy...

Can anyone explain how OnStar would be any different? It's got GPS positioning loaded into almost every GM car built here. Theoretically the GPS only works when you push the button or get into an accident, but do you honestly think this isn't available if OnStar wanted to track you? Think about it, it only takes a phone call for them to open your doors...

It's already here folks...

[Alan @ May 3rd 2007 11:47AM]

I think Engadget, as a US website, is _far_ more concerned about privacy and surveillance than UK citizens are. I'm getting quite bored of Engadget's intro-lines on the subject now...

[obiwan @ May 3rd 2007 1:12PM]

There you go again, getting distracted. The post was about putting GPS tracking devices in every car, not gun control. Seriously people, you just can't stay on topic.

[James @ May 3rd 2007 2:13PM]

Re: RFID, I think that the read range is simply a function of antenna size (on the RIFD device) and transmit power (on the reader), so if they just make a big antenna, and a powerful transmitter, they can read from a basically arbitrary distance. I don't think the RFID plates are quite as bad an idea as mandatory GPS transmitters, though -- that one definitely smacks of Big Brother.

[Mike @ May 3rd 2007 2:16PM]

@ Jacob Magnusson

You do realize that if we banned guns then the people left w/ guns would be the police and criminals? So what would banning guns do again?

[thesawzall @ May 3rd 2007 5:28PM]

One simple evil thing they could do to make everyone want one of these in their car:

Make every stoplight show favor to the GPS-linked car that's approaching the light.

[Benj @ May 4th 2007 1:33PM]

Wouldn't it have been worth the effort to find a picture of a _UK_ road? (y'know, with the cars on the left...)

[hisjr @ Jun 7th 2007 11:50AM]

did anyone notice the picture isnt of british traffic. the cars are traveling on the "wrong" side.

thought i would ad a "lighter" comment