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:wtf

[Em Emalb]

I don't know why this was modded troll, it was the exact first thought I had too.

Seriously do we not have enough frigging taxes already?

They tax you when you're born (delivered). They tax you when you get your first job. They tax your gas, your groceries, your home, you car, your health, your retirement, etc.etc.

They tax your family when you die. They tax tax tax tax tax.

Fuck this. Seriously. Fuck this shit.

Re:Do we really need GPS to track mileage ?

[radtea]

Your odometer can report how much of your mileage was on public roads?

And your gas pump can tell how much gas you're going to burn on pubic roads? AMAZING!