Environment

Green does Orwell

by Hugh Askew | November 14, 2009 at 02:38 pm

110 views | 53 Recommendations | 6 comments

In a move seemingly right out of some futuristic nightmare, the Dutch government has announced plans to track every car in The Netherlands.

It is all for a good cause, naturally enough. The plan will tax vehicles based on mileage, with the intent of forcing citizens to reduce the miles - or in this case, kilometers - driven.

The Orwellian portion of the law would install GPS tracking devices on cars that will record not only the miles driven, but where, and when.

Put in American terms, a person driving 12,000 mile a year, would be hit with a $840.00 tax bill, to be increased to $1920.00 by 2018.

Perhaps the compliant Dutch will accept such a bill meekly. Any attempt by Big Brother to institute a system so open to manipulation and abuse, would be likely be met with outrage and fury in an auto-dependent, and freedom loving, society like the US.

No word on if the system could call ahead to have your latte ready at the drive-thru, or to let the boss know you are running late.

The Dutch government said Friday it wants to introduce a "green" road tax by the kilometre from 2012 aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent and halving congestion.
"Each vehicle will be equipped with a GPS device that tracks how many kilometres are driven and when and where. This data will be then be sent to a collection agency that will send out the bill," the transport ministry said in a statement.

Ownership and sales taxes, about a quarter of the cost of a new car, will be scrapped and replaced by the "price per kilometre" system aimed at cutting the Netherlands' carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent.

"Traffic jams will be halved and it helps the environment," the ministry said.

Dutch motorists driving a standard family saloon will be charged 3 euro cents per kilometre (seven US cents per mile) in 2012. That would increase to 6.7 cents (16 US cents per mile) in 2018, according to the proposed law.

Every vehicle type will have a base rate, which depends on its size, weight and carbon dioxide emissions.

Taxis, vehicles for the disabled, buses, motorcycles and classic cars will all be exempt.

"An alternative payment will be introduced for foreign vehicles," the ministry statement added.

The Dutch cabinet approved the road tax bill on Friday. It will need the backing of parliament before it becomes law.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Add a comment

Amy Judd

at 15:02 on November 14th, 2009

Wow, it's a bit freaky - I can see the upside but still...

albertacowpoke

at 16:15 on November 14th, 2009

This can work in Europe because most live close enough to their job to cycle or walk there. If it was introduced in Canada or the US they would be punishing people to drive to their job. Heck I have to drive 9 miles just to get my mail.

rng

at 17:56 on November 14th, 2009

This can work in Europe- because the Europeans are not paranoid about the intents of government but are very wary of the Church

Hugh Askew

at 19:49 on November 14th, 2009

The Europeans can trust their governments all they like.

History has shown repeatedly that government can't be trusted.The Europeans, being a superior sort of people, have perhaps devised a means of governing, far beyond what mere peons like i can comprehend.

One can be certain, given the vast number and variety they have tried over the ages, that they certainly have more practice than us ignorant bumpkins.

Hugh Askew

at 16:50 on November 14th, 2009

In reality, the tax part isn't the worst, it is having them tracking you. I used a company car with GPS, with daily updates....and frequent comments about 3 min late arrival times, destinations, etc. Freaky is a mild term to use. Orwellian fits well.

Barbara McPherson

at 10:56 on November 15th, 2009

I agree that the least of it are the tax implications. Simply having a compulsory mileage reading once a year would answer that need. When and where a person drives is something else entirely. This brings to mind the old joke - How can you tell when a politician is lying? When his mouth is moving. Is the last great luxury privacy?