Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

No doubt many Accringtonians will have heard on the news this morning about the latest crackpot idea that this excuse for a government has come up with.

My letter to my MP reads:
Dear Janet Anderson,
It has been reported on the radio today that the government is considering a change to the way that we motorists will be taxed in the future.

As I understand it the proposal is to charge each and every motorist x pence per mile depending on where the movement takes place and the time of the day.

Is there no end to the hair-brained schemes that this government comes up with? First it was the ID cards, which the majority of the country do not want and will cost billions to implement and now this charge per mile. I might add that it is our taxpayers’ billions that are being wasted and then to rub salt into the wound we will be charged for the blasted ID card.

I might also add that the billions wasted in this manner could and should be used on what the public wants. Health, education, police, pensions to mention just four.

If the government wants to spread the cost of motoring more fairly then new fangled gadgets to track each vehicle and measure its mileage are not the way forward. All it does is give the criminal fraternity something to do – produce gadgets to counter the scheme, as they will with fake ID cards.

A much simpler and definitely more cost effective way of spending OUR taxes is to scrap the Road Fund License and increase the duty on fuel by about 10p per litre.

Every single vehicle uses fuel because without it, a vehicle cannot move and the more mileage someone drives the more fuel will be needed and the more tax the driver will pay. There is no need to spend vast amounts of taxpayers’ money. Thieving joy riders need fuel to make the car move so these criminals will also be making a contribution.

This government could go even further and add an extra 30p to a litre of fuel, 10p to replace RFL and 20p as third party insurance. Tens of thousands of drivers drive around with neither RFL or insurance so these would be caught in the net and would pay their dues. If any vehicle owner wants fully comprehensive insurance they can buy the extra themselves. Anyone who buys fuel for their vehicle whether legally allowed to drive or not would be insured and that would mean that in the case of a claim the innocent victim would get restitution. If an illegal driver damages my car today I have to bear the cost together with my insurer. Me with the excess that I have to pay and my insurer with the actual cost of repair. That is grossly unfair!

This leaves the question of the MOT. Simple, instead of applying to the Post Office or DVLA for a RFL disk, the motorist would apply for an MOT disk and to receive it s/he would have to supply a current driving license, an MOT certificate and the vehicle registration form.

Police would be freed from the need to search for drivers without RFL or insurance and could spend more time bringing other criminals to book.

Drivers who are exempt from road tax like recipients of the higher rate of DLA would need that allowance to be increased to compensate for the extra fuel costs.

It seems to me that the originator of this crackpot idea hasn’t thought it through. Or maybe he has? Because in such a scheme it will be, as usual, we the working classes who will bear the brunt of the cost and the upper classes, captains of industry and commerce, the aristocracy and people in high public office who will benefit with their gas guzzling cars creating more pollution per person than the rest of us.

George Orwell’s 1984 had it spot on. His only error was the date.

I would remind this or any government that it is we, the working class who actually create the wealth by working hard and long for poor pay. It is our blood, sweat and tears that provides the money for the government to spend. We demand that it is spent wisely and not wasted on crackpot ideas.

Sadly I feel that my suggestions will fall on deaf ears as Tony Blair, in spite of his claim to the contrary, just doesn’t listen to the public. I would remind all MP’s that they are where they are because we voted them into office and they are there to carry out the party manifesto and listen to the public if they want to introduce something not in the manifesto.

The party voted into office as the government is there as servants of the public and not the other way around.



Yours faithfully.



Mr. J. Buckley.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Motoring organisations have lobbied government for this for years now. Trouble is that adding tax onto fuel is too simple for them, they need something far more complex so they can brag about how clever they are (not!). The power of the motorist as shown during the petrol blocade has been sadly forgoten now the election is over. But then who can remember anyone lobbying on behalf of the beleagured motorist anyway, apparently we have bottomless pockets & can afford any silly scheme thrown at us.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

1. I agree with ID cards
2. I did not vote Blair into office
3. This 'mileage tax' would bankrupt 80% of the population, based on the figures I have heard. I would not be able to afford to do my job. Bye bye house!

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

simply disconnect your speedometer or if thay put microchips into cars there will be a way to remove or bypass them

some smart ass will figure it out

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Should have had ID cards years ago and it would have cut down on illegals, it s OK if youv'e nothing to hide.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

There is a big difference between having something to hide and having your movements etc monitored. There is a right to privacy in this country. By putting monitors on every car effectively removes this right as someone will know where you are. ID cards are by default a bad idea. The righteous deal with the problems and those who would suffer still go without. It only takes a look at the number of uninsured drivers to see that the gov cannot manage a situation where people choose not to abide by the law.

As a high mileage driver(30K+ a year) I probably have more right than most to look at ways to improve the taxation system. I have always been in favour of the RFL being replaced with a supplement on fuel. Those that use the most pay the most. Those that choose to run gas guzzlers also pay a premium. As has been already stated it would be impossible to avoid ithence the removal of tax dodgers However the gov should look to encourage people to use environmentally friendly fuels such as LPG, CNG, hybrids etc through a valid use of the taxation system. The problem as usual is the lack of balls by the goverment.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

I would probably benefit by a scheme such as increased tax on fuel. I only manage about 4K per year. I do agree with some sort of ID system though, but then again I am starting to think that a National DNA Database is a good idea.

It's this country.........It's driving me mad..:o

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

We have lots of silly car rules in this country.
Not having to MOT a car for the first 3 years of its life. Entwisi's car would do almost 100,000 miles without an MOT. Surely cars should be checked every year from new.
The national speed limit sign that means either 60mph on a single carraigeway or 70mph on a duel carraigeway.
You should be able to undertake cars on the motorway so you can pass idiots sat at 70mph in the third lane with lanes one and two empty.
It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone while driving but not illegal to use a handheld two-way radio ( PMR, CB, taxi etc.)
The most stupid is motorbikes not having front number plates so they cant get caught speeding by the mobile speed cameras ( the speed wardens or whatever they are called).

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

ID cards did not stop terrorists bombing Madrid........I already know who I am........I have a passport, a driving licencses a National Insurance Number.......the people who take my income tax know who I am........I will not payany amount of money to have an ID card......if the government wants me to carry one then they will have to fund it........and I will go to jail before I will have one of these things.
The crims, the illegals and the other no good scum will not carry ID cards......or maybe they will get them counterfeited. Also the systems to read these Id cards are seriously flawed...can you imagine leaving the country with your ID card and the machine not recognising you to get back in.......it is just another way to fleece us of our hard earned cash.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Oh and the business of taxing motorists on the miles they drive is another way to squeeze us till we scream.

I don't recall hearing about this scheme in the Labour manifesto.......do you?

If they want to get us out of our cars they must address the woeful public transport.......public service my eye!

Nurse....check my blood pressure please!

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

It is a stupid idea full stop. Hopefully it will never actually see the light of day, as I can imagine a national uproar if it did.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Neil, on these two I agree with your first comment but what is difference with drivers smoking at the wheel, tuning radio, having a conversation with passenger, kids in back, etc. Where do you draw the line?
As for bikes it is not legal to take photos of drivers or riders from the front under civil liberties, hence speed cameras photo rear plates which will include bikes. The old plates were removed as they were dangerous in a smash if the rider went over the handlebars. That is why they had the nickname of "arse splitters".
The worst anomoly is that of braking distance-these were written in the 1030's for cars with drum brakes all round, heavy chassis etc, & do not allow for modern technology as traction control, ABS, all disc & so on. As for the two second distance rule, it is useless at speeds over 50 mph!

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

im a firm beleiver in i.d.cards,and no it didnt prevent the madrid bombing,though i would be interested to know what would?the fact that the spanish have them seems to me like they certainly have a lot less illegals than us,i know that from having lived there.that seems to me in itself a huge plus,though some may not agree.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

what did you expect from new- labour, a chance to go and get your dinner with the dog in the morning , Its alright voting for your locals but its the boys at the top that pull the strings...........:D

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Have at look at these 2 example photos I found.

It is the GATSO type camera that takes a picture from behind. The mobile Ford Galaxy's use a laser type camera and takes a picture of the front of the car showing the driver. These can not get bikes because they have no front plate. Bikes should have to have a front plate that faces forward - not on the front mud guard like they used to have.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

You can get caught speeding on a bike with a front facing camera. All it requires is the copper to be prepated to stand up in court and read from his notebook the registration number he read as you went past. Don't ask me how I know this I just do OK :/(Goes off muttering something about clean license for 15 years)

As for MOT's yes, every year please, Oh and while your at it how about a 5 yearly 'MOT' on the driver. The standard of driving in this country is awful. Lets get serious about road saftey. Retests would remove those whose eyesight is substandard, whose driving is dangerous and who are simply not fit to be on the road.

Ian

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Speed cameras like the roving ones cannot use a photo of the driver by law. This is why the owner of the vehicle is required to name the driver, if not the owner at the time of reputed offence. It will require a new act of parliment to make it legal for these devices to photo the actual driver. Where could you put a plate on the front of a a bike as you suggest?
There are two legal getouts as to being caught by speed cameras, however the main aspect of these are not to get caught in the first place! I do consider this to be lazy policing of motorists in the first instance. More pro active presence of police cars would do far more good, as a gatso cannot tell if a motorist is insured , taxed or has a current MOT. ROSPA also report more accidents at the vicinity of cameras due to motorists rapid braking, further that they only cover several metres of road so motorists who regularly speed will resort to their earlier actions once past. OK we can all be blase about our driving skills but if you consider GATSOS etc a threat go & get a radar detector, they are legal & again ROSPA quote that owners of them are 25% less likely to be involved in an accident. They do make you more aware of the enviroment you are in.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

So how does Two Jags Prescott feel about this then? I would be in favour of a levy on petrol to cover insurance - having been hit in the rear end by an uninsured motorist, which caused £1,200-worth of damage. (By the way, he was a town planner by profession!) I had to pay it myself, because the loss of my no claims bonus for three years would have cost me more. A levy to pay the RFL would also be a good idea, but in order to get your RFL now you have to produce your MOT certificate and insurance certificate - no guesses as to why some people don't have an up to date one!

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

If drivers have more than one car accident per year and it is thier fault then they should be made to re-sit a driving test. Anyone else agree????

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

It simply is another way of generating tax and creating a mountain of buraucratic jobs.

I agree with most of Jambutties original posting, but I'm really against agreeing to any further taxation..of any kind!

The NuLabour Government aided by politicians of all sides has denied me my citzens right to vote in a General Election. So I am a second class citizen and not allowed to vote in ANY general election anywhere in the world. Athough they are gracious enough to allow me to pay UK income tax!!

It appears once again, to distract the public from the real issues, the pollies come out with another outrageous idea, and we rant and rave until they agree to tone it down. Meanwhile, back at the ranch!!!!! Foul deeds are afoot!!

Bettr to write to them and tell them to concentrate on real issues, and no more claptrap!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Everyone knows that motorist have bottomless pockets with rich seams of gold at the bottom of them, especially taught to people with the title Minister Of Transport!

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

What about taxi drivers and company reps? If taxi drivers have to pay this ludicrous "tax" it will be reflected in fares. If companies have to pay it for their reps, jobs could go as a result. Another example of thinking with unsuitable parts of the body. And what about bus companies? - would they have to pay it? Whichever way round, it's screw the taxpayer time again.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

And there's more - how do they enforce it? Does a little man come round once a week and check everybody's mileage, or do we all have to have SatNav positioning (paid for by the motorist, of course) so that Big Brother knows where we are and what we're doing all the time?

I'm off to join the Civil Liberties Brigade, while I still can, before they ban that too.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

yep, Sat Nav based system.

George Orwell would be proud.....

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Intrustion of privacy, George Orwell, My rights, Civil libertys, wow has any one considered that you are on the net and you have an ip address and you signed up for an account so you could surf the net and each computers got a hard drive that stores information on it and most web sites log ip addresses and just like that end of privacy.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Well it's not going to go away, so you may as well get used to it.


Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

All smacks of a badly thought up Green plan. Despite this supposed to happen in aprox 10-15 years it is plainly obvious it is unworkable. The only thing is would show up is that by removing tax on petrol, just how miuch we are being ripped off at the pumps now!

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

It is going to cost a fortune to collect money in this way........oh and if you query your monthly bill.......or it turns out to be much more than you can afford, what then...?
If the government are trying to get us onto public transport wouldn't it make more sense to get that transport infrastructure right first........? Other countries in the world can provide first class economical public transport......public transport that runs 24hrs a day.........that doesn't stop on weekends and bank holidays.

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

Yes my movements on here are 'logged' but the difference is I choose to use this(plus I could use any number of anonymisers). As for the HD storing all this info it is very easy to destroy a HD beyond the recovery of any goverment agency. I would not have a choice with the tracking of my movement.

There are lots of other considerations, People who already help the environment by car sharing are being tarred with the same brush, it was quoted that charges could be anythingfrom 4p/mile to £1.34. As mentioned I travel over 100 miles a day to go to work. There are no jobs in Accrington for what I am(highly) trained to do. I already help the environment and congestion by running my car on LPG and car sharing with a guy from Blackburn. With the introduction of these charges that will probably go out the window as I will be tempted to switch to my motorcycle(as these tend to be less taxed).

Re: Monitoring Motoring Miles
 

I really do despair......if I were younger I would move out of this country.