Comment No need for expensive tracking devices... (Score 1) 621
If one was to implement this idea in is U.S., most states have the infrastructure needed to bill people for the miles they drive.
AFAIK, all U.S. states (at least all the ones I've lived in) require you to renew your car license every year. Some states allow you to renew for multiple years.
When one registers a car, the initial odometer is recorded. When that person sends in the forms and money (or does it in person) a form is filled out with the odometer reading. The difference in odometer readings is used to calculate the "road tax" and a bill is sent.
Cheaters? Use a system of "random" audits like the IRS. It would an easy audit, bring you car down to the local DMV and have the odometer checked.
I would suspect the cost of such a system would be relatively low.
My ultimate point here is that using technology to track the movements of a large percentage of the citizenry is not necessarily the only, nor the best solution.
AFAIK, all U.S. states (at least all the ones I've lived in) require you to renew your car license every year. Some states allow you to renew for multiple years.
When one registers a car, the initial odometer is recorded. When that person sends in the forms and money (or does it in person) a form is filled out with the odometer reading. The difference in odometer readings is used to calculate the "road tax" and a bill is sent.
Cheaters? Use a system of "random" audits like the IRS. It would an easy audit, bring you car down to the local DMV and have the odometer checked.
I would suspect the cost of such a system would be relatively low.
My ultimate point here is that using technology to track the movements of a large percentage of the citizenry is not necessarily the only, nor the best solution.
