Drivers spied on by new cameras under pay-per-mile car tax change in weeks
EXCLUSIVE: New infrastructure could be needed across the UK as new pay-per-mile car tax rules could soon be introduced.
Motorists could be spied on by “cameras on every corner” under any new pay-per-mile car tax system, according to a leading expert.
Iain Reid, Head of Editorial at Carwow warned the UK may have to undergo major infrastructure development before a per-mile scheme can be installed to help police the system.
This is likely to lead to “huge investment” into roads across the country in what could be one of the biggest projects ever undertaken.
ANPR cameras which can automatically detect number plates have been mooted as a potential way to monitor mileage.
However, Iain warned the cost of installing detectors across the country would likely be paid by motorists with a portion of fees going towards technology.
He said: “We don't yet know how pay-per-mile charging will be implemented. I.e. Will we see ANPR cameras on every corner?
“Large national infrastructure projects take huge investment to get up and running, so we can imagine recouping some of these costs will be part of any future pay-per-mile scheme.”
Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, has predicted an announcement about changes to the tax system will be confirmed at the Autumn Budget next month.
Official details around how the scheme would work are yet to be unveiled leading to speculation around the make-up of a future charge.
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A pay-per-mile system would have to track the distance each vehicle travels to avoid motorists clocking their cars or lying about their true mileage.
This could be achieved by using any number of technologies such as GPS-based tracking devices, cameras or smartphone apps.
Tracking tools would either be a plug-in device or could be checked through analysing telematics data.
However, tracking devices installed on UK cars are likely to be deeply unpopular with the public and raise a series of security concerns.
Kevin Foster, a former Tory transport minister, stressed any charge that has to monitor road users' locations was deeply concerning.
He said: “The privacy implications are outrageous.
“Any pay-per-mile system relies on knowing how many miles you have driven in set areas or on specific roads.
“What happens to this data? Who has or could gain access to it? Can the state truly justify the routine collection of so much info on the daily lives of citizens not suspected of any crime?”
