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View Full Version : New meaning for 'Road Tax'




ctiger2
01-06-2010, 04:21 PM
http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/hlamb/2009/hl_07131.shtml


Sara was late for work. The alarm clock didn't alarm, the kids were unusually slow getting ready for school, and nothing went right. She finally got to her car -- a brand new 2020 Chevy Adventure. She touched the finger-print secured start button. Nothing. It wouldn't start. She touched it again. Nothing. Furious, she banged the steering wheel with her fist. Then she noticed the paper hanging from the receipt printer on the dash.

"Your designated visa account rejected your Road Use Tax in the amount of $87.32 for the month of June, 2020. You must insert a valid account card to activate your automobile."

It's coming. With a $16 million grant from the federal government, the University of Iowa is developing a Global Positioning Satellite system that can measure the mileage, apply a variable tax rate that will increase during rush hours, and in high-traffic areas, calculate the total, charge a designated account card, and shut down your automobile if unpaid when due. Some 2700 automobiles in five states will be used in the test.

The system has been under development for more than a decade. The concept was proven in a similar, but smaller test in Oregon two years ago. The new tax system is being designed to replace the outdated by-the-gallon tax. Government mandated higher mileage requirements results in less tax revenue for all governments. Hybrid and all-electric cars contribute little or nothing to road tax revenues.

The new by-the-mile tax system will give government much more than a new tax collection mechanism; it will give government much greater control over everyone. More...

getch36
01-06-2010, 09:32 PM
This is why ONSTAR scares me..........

MN Patriot
01-06-2010, 09:38 PM
As long as most vehicles use gas or diesel, the gas tax is about the fairest way to pay for roads. Small vehicles use less fuel, less wear and tear on the roads. Big vehicles, more fuel, more wear on the roads.
But eventually there will need to be another way of paying for roads when gas is no longer used. Everything is being computerized, cars will drive themselves. Not much difference than property taxes based on home values. Big Brother knows all. The question is, who will be controlling Big Brother?

Dieseler
01-06-2010, 09:40 PM
As soon as they get everyone chipped along with Onstar in all of the Licensed vehicles they will be able to scan and know exactly who is in the car as well as where it is not to mention the statistical data they will compile over time of the vehicles use.
Just depends on what they want to do.
Endless possibilities.

thrillhouse
01-06-2010, 09:47 PM
there's places with all electronic tolling already, and other places in the process of adding it. Just seems like a forebearer to the "road tax".