Sign of the Times?

[DesertDave]

Saw a piece on the Science Channel a few days ago about little black box technology found on many new cars. Seems that through GPS they can now track your speed in any given area, tax you for the miles you drive, and ticket you on a monthly basis. Worse yet, this info. goes straight to your insurance company. :shock:
This, of course, could take any enjoyment out of riding if it becomes law. Think I'm being paranoid?

[Pauljo]

A rental car company was caught using them in Connecticut a couple of years ago. They tried to assess a surcharge on a customer because he had been speeding in their car... I believe it was thrown out in court. But I suspect a lot of rental car companies do use them so that they can track where there cars are being taken.

As far as making them mandatory, and feeding their data to law enforcement agencies or insurance companies - I see that as violating some pretty basic constitutional rights.

[DesertDave]

Pauljo,
The privacy issue was mentioned and quickly put to rest on the basis that we are driving on public highways. Therefore, the govt. can do what they feel necessary. :?

[Dennis Robertson]

Device is on my vehicle. I paid for it. Anybody takes the data without a warrant and/or my permission and we're going to WAR!!

[sum1else]

I can't see it happening - it would kill the auto industry so they'd lobby hard to prevent it.

I mean why build a car or bike that can do more than 70mph? The answer is because people want to buy those cars, right? The politicians get big donations from big business so they're not going to vote in such a GPS tracking system...

We're OK. For all the wrong reasons, but at least we're OK.

[LiterStrom]

Thanks for the comforting thoughts, but I suspect that this technology is & will be used, eventually countered. Warranty exemptions, rental adders, prom night. Trick wil be to re-prog the things..... Bring the vette back on bald tires, they dump the box & it looks like your grandmother took it to church. :?: But Seriously now, you don't think my dear little strommie will start ratting me out do you? She could tell some dirt..... I might just have to bring up about the farting in school zones thing.... Well ya see officer, I did a track day..... Any good chips available from say nun's personal scooters or such?

[LiterStrom]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5898175/?GT1=5100

Saw this new link on msnbc today "progressive offers insurance discount if you use monitoring chip in your car......

[JRE]

I can think of a few places they can stick their little black box.
We don' need no stinkin' black boxes! :P