When an Idea is to stupid for California

Europe answers the call.

Now... I know that in the UK it is already pretty much inefficent to own a car. due to some of the draconian tolls and taxes. But in the EU the Nanny state is job one.

Alistair Darling, the Secretary of State for Transport, revealed that pilot areas will be selected in just 24 months' time as he made clear his determination to press ahead with a national road pricing scheme.

Each of Britain's 24 million vehicles would be tracked by satellite if a variable "pay-as-you-drive" charge replaces the current road tax.

In an interview with The Independent on Sunday, Mr Darling warned that unless action is taken now, the country "could face gridlock" within two decades.

You see in California they at least pretended it was about the taxes. thats what i like about Europe is their honesty

"To many people are driving cars"
"Hey Lets tax them by the mile"
"Yeah that should stop their driving"

Its not like you can justify that as a statement about building new roads, i mean... WHERE its a pretty small island with an expanding population base

"Drivers have got to see that they benefit," he said, adding that one of the "weaknesses" of the congestion charging scheme introduced in the capital by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, was that it delivered a "general benefit not a particular benefit". Motorists could feel they are paying a penalty to support buses they do not use.

The national road-pricing scheme, by contrast, has got to work so there's "something in it for me", said Mr Darling in advance of a keynote speech on the issue this Thursday.

Despite his insistence that the scheme would lead to no overall increase in the level of taxation as road taxes and fuel duties are reduced or abolished, it is bound to prompt fresh claims that Labour is waging a "war on motorists".

Some campaigners, meanwhile, are pressing Mr Darling to introduce new levies on individual roads immediately, using existing microwave technology or tolls. But that would force traffic on to quieter roads while entrenching opposition to a national scheme, ministers believe.

However, new and expanded roads are likely to see innovations such as car-sharing lanes, available to single drivers only if they pay a premium.

yep lets make them think they are getting something when we give them the shaft

give it a 10 year roll out in the UK then it will come here to the US