Vehicle tracking

**Somebody Else** · 01-11-2007, 17:26

Apparently the new thing to be introduced into the UK at some point in then near future will be compulsory tracking devices in all cars, which cost the driver £200 to install, and have running costs. Which will automatically fine drivers who speed even minutely, for parking in the wrong place &c. Not of course that anyone would ever commit such minor infringements of the law.

Now, personally, I don't drive - yet. I really really don't like the idea of having my every move monitored though, we're not imbecilic children, we do have some degree of autonomy, though - not nearly so much as say... Ug the caveman.

Anyway, there is a petition to stop this, the rest I feel we've already lost...

**BDC** · 01-11-2007, 17:49

Very probably. This country's roads are totally overwhelmed. Of course so is the train network, so I fail to see how this will help. But it will generate extra money for the government...

I don't drive. It's just ridiculously expensive, and whilst public transport is hardly brilliant in London, it is bearable.

And this is Britain. You are an imbecile until you earn several million a month.

**Somebody Else** · 01-11-2007, 17:55

Originally Posted by BDC

And this is Britain. You are an imbecile until you earn several million a month.

David Beckham?

**Hosakawa Tito** · 01-11-2007, 20:26

So, who's going to be able to clock every vehicle all of the time? Sounds like they would already have to be investigating you for this to be practical. How do they propose to prove it is the cars owner that is driving, and not someone else like a friend or family member? In the US, there is a device in the works similar to the "blackbox" in a jetliner to record speed etc... to more accurately document cause of vehicle accidents.

**Rameusb5** · 01-11-2007, 20:32

Not that I'm a british citizen (and that TV tax you guys pay over there simply astounds me), but the VERY SECOND they try to put some monitoring chip in my car/house/brain, is the very moment I leave the country forever.

At the very least, they shoud put the chip into the politicians who are voting for this ridiculous idea first. Perhaps they might not want the unblinking eye of "big brother" turned on themselves.

**Dave1984** · 01-11-2007, 23:26

They've been talking about this for years and to be honest I don't think it'll ever really happen to the extent you're describing.
The sheer difficulties involved in forcing every vehicle owner in the UK to pay to install a system that by its very nature renders itself incredibly unpopular will make it practically impossible to enforce.
The most likely way that anything of this kind will come into effect is if it is made compulsory that all new vehicles are manufactured with some kind of "black box" in place. It will push the prices of the vehicles up, perhaps by up to about £200, but there is no way that all vehicles already in possession of private citizens can be compulsorarily fitted with these devices.
And should enough of the voting public become lethargic enough to let it slip through any referendum on it through sheer apathy then so many people will either refuse to get it fitted or remove it if it already has been then it would be an absolute nightmare to enforce.
Far cheaper to buy more cameras!

**Xiahou** · 01-12-2007, 01:22

Originally Posted by Hosakawa Tito

In the US, there is a device in the works similar to the "blackbox" in a jetliner to record speed etc... to more accurately document cause of vehicle accidents.

And there are some significant privacy concerns over that as well in my book.

**BDC** · 01-12-2007, 13:03

Originally Posted by Somebody Else

David Beckham?

He's getting $250m for 5 years of kicking a football about in LA.

Not an imbecile.

**Somebody Else** · 01-12-2007, 13:08

Originally Posted by BDC

He's getting $250m for 5 years of kicking a football about in LA.

Not an imbecile.

Fair point. Still, speaks like one though...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Blodrast** · 01-12-2007, 19:54

BG: 1M out of 20M motorists ? That's only 5%, I'd say that's a pretty good number! (i.e., "small").

Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

When they do get caught, the fine is usually less than they have saved in the preceding years.

Originally Posted by D Wilson

Yes the saving grace for those of us not in favour of this is that with things like this it is rarely ever enforced, and even if you do get caught I suspect the most that'll happen is a slap on the wrist.

Then, playing the devil's advocate here (because I don't in agree with this measure), may I point out that the "flaw" resides in the gov't not instituting higher fines for this ?