GPS-Based System For Driving Tax Being Field Tested

An anonymous reader writes "Apparently, since gas consumption is going down and fuel efficient cars are becoming more popular, the government is looking into a new form of taxation to create revenue for transportation projects. This new system is a 'by-the-mile tax,' requiring GPS in cars so it can track the mileage. Once a month, the data gets uploaded to a billing center and you are conveniently charged for how much you drove. 'A federal commission, after a two-year study, concluded earlier this year that the road tax was the "best path forward" to keep revenues flowing to highway and transportation projects, and could be an important new tool to help manage traffic and relieve congestion. ... The commission pegged 2020 as the year for the federal fuel tax, currently 18.5 cents a gallon, to be phased out and replaced by a road tax. One estimate of a road tax that would cover the current federal and state fuel taxes is 1 to 2 cents per mile for cars and light trucks.'"

Comments

Re:Do we really need GPS to track mileage ?

[binarylarry]

Think of the government lobbyists, you insensitive clod!

What about Oklahoma?

[AioKits]

We don't do shit to repair the roads as it is! If this was put into place we'd find a way to further screw over our highways. Some of these potholes are big enough the only way we get them filled is to hold a funeral in one.

Re:Odometer

[blueg3]

Also, in Indiana, they don't verbs.

Re:GPS Jammer

[Overzeetop]

I guess I no longer have to worry about the signs in Virginia which alert me that "Speed limits enforced by aircraft." I always figured they'd just hit you with a SAM and be done with it, though I can see how this might hurt the revenue angle. :-)