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The Dutch government is using GPS to track cars and charge them money based on the type of vehicle they own, how much they use it, what time they use it and whereabouts they are driving. All this information is sent to a government computer via a car transmitter and the cell-phone network and a fee is calculated, although the Dutch government has been quick to point out that no information about driver whereabouts is ever stored.
The system works by taking substantive factors into account in road taxation, including congestion periods and environmental impacts of cars. For example, if you are riding a low-polluting motorbike around the country at 3am you will be charged significantly less than an SUV driving through the city center in peak hour traffic.
However, because of the difficulty in installing the needed electronics on a motorbike, they may be exempted from the per-kilometer tax scheme and instead keep the older, purchase and sales-based tax scheme.
Currently, the rate of charges is unknown but should be light enough to not impact on the majority of the population too severely. The system will be phased in starting in 2011, with commercial trucks being the first to switch to the new system and eventually all vehicles will be subject to the per-kilometer taxation by 2016.
Between now and 2011, the Dutch government will put the technology and infrastructure for the system through a number of trials to ensure it is ready when the system goes live.
The method is also being scrutinized for possible use in the UK, which is also examining average-speed cameras and lower speed limits.
Have an opinion?
HECTOR Posted: 5/7/2008 6:01pm PDT
Honesly boys, I'm scared.
Roy Posted: 5/7/2008 6:20pm PDT
I will be the first to stand up and say that people should be charged for what they use in terms of roads, fuel, pollution clean-up, etc - something that is NOT yet happening in the US - but at some point it has to stop. The motorist is not a golden goose. No wonder so many motorists in the US are looking at the EU with some nervousness.
This particular scheme is nothing more than an over-complicated way of overcharging overtaxed motorists. Thank goodness they don't have easy access to semi-automatic handguns or the place might just erupt.
Roy Posted: 5/7/2008 6:23pm PDT
chris Posted: 5/8/2008 11:04am PDT
but seriously hector, whats so bad about daytime runners? like i've said before, I've driven in detroit before and nearly drove into people because they're too stupid or lazy to put on their lights during the night. at least in canada, they'd have the manditory daytime lights on and i'd get some indication that they're on the road in front of me doing 30mph on the EFFING FREEWAY. so really.. is it the 3 cents every time you fill up that is going towards always having the lights on that bugs you? or is it the fact that those communist pigs in the government are taking away your freedom to drive a car without lights on? i really dont get it. please explain. i really want to know what the american problem is with daytime runners.
and roy,... if the government can provide some budgetary evidence that these increases in gas tax are needed, or (i'm laughing while writing this) a rediculously complex GPS system to bill you based on the KM travelled, then fine. like you say, taxes shouldnt be flat fees. if you use something more than john Q Public, why should you both pay the same? and if the government needs more money for roads, gas tax is going up. simple as that.
the country is forcing you to pay taxes but they arent forcing you to stay in that country. government is like any other business. you always have the FREEDOM to shop some where else.
MyWheelsOnWalls.com Posted: 5/8/2008 11:28am PDT
Gus Posted: 5/8/2008 12:39pm PDT
Seems like that's their favorite thing to do...
RB Posted: 5/8/2008 7:39pm PDT
We dont have daylight runners in the UK at the moment - but think it would be a good idea - might make it sunnier!
Ive always thought putting the tax up on petrol (dont forget im coming from being in the UK and we already live with $10 a gallon petrol!) would be a better way - it would also get rid of all the tax dodgers - and a few thousand civil servants who administer the current set up!
just then got to work out how to get rid of all the insurance dodgers (have heard than 1 in 5 cars is not insured!)
TS Posted: 5/9/2008 11:34am PDT
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