News Story 4 News Headlines.
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This Article was written by Chris Brooke: it was publish in Britain on 25th. August, 2003... by 'The Daily Mail'.  
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A 'Big Brother' system which would monitor every move a driver makes is being considered by the Government.  Fitting all cars with a microchip linked to a central computer would allow drivers to be automatically prosecuted for a wide range of offences including speeding, illegal parking and road tax evasion.
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An electronic vehicle identification scheme could also be broadened to incorporate road toll collection and control traffic congestion.  The scheme would undoubtedly meet fierce opposition from civil liberties groups, as well as a vote-loser with motorists.  However, some form of control is already being considered across Europe.
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A report commissioned by the Department for Transport identifies six types of technology... including barcodes, radio chips and mini-satellites... which could be used.  These would electronically communicate details of a car's registration number, make, tax status, MOT and insurance.  
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They would be linked to roadside sensors [many already put in place by traffic monitoring companies and the Highways Agency] and a central computer.  Supporters believe uninsured and untaxed drivers could be speedily traced, making the roads safer.  Reports claim the system could be operational by 2007.  But in reality a national or Europe-wide scheme could be a long way off as Britain's 38 million licensed vehicles would need to be fitted with microchips.  
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Initial reaction from motoring organisations was mixed yesterday.  Bert Morris, deputy director of the AA Motoring Trust, said that while tracking drivers without valid insurance and road tax would be beneficial, there were concerns about a 'hidden agenda'.  'Law-abiding motorists will be hit by all these new rules, new fines and new punishments, but the bad guys who are not insured and don't have their vehicles registered get away all the time,' he said.   
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'Are we going to get a situation where the law-abiding people suffer and the bad people carry on as before?'  A spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: 'It is a case of whether society wants it.  We support speed cameras as a deterrent but not installing a fruit machine for the Inland Revenue or Customs in every car.'
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The In-car Big Bother.
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Microchip: either fitted to the chassis or on the number plate, it would log details of a car's owner, its make, colour and legal status.  
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Sensors: roadside sensors and speed cameras could be adapted to monitor a vehicle's progress.  Linked to a centralised control room, which could check whether a vehicle was legal and whether it was being driven properly without anyone knowing.  
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Bad driving: under this system... speeding: could be monitored from roadside sensors, [as well as a whole range of other offences] the first you know about a ticket is when it comes through the front door.  
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Legality: Insurance companies say premiums could be reduced as uninsured drivers are caught and penalised.  MOT [road worthy certificate] dangerous vehicles could be quickly identified.  Tax: a clampdown on drivers who fail to pay their road tax.
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Comment: yet another possible scenario that would see the 'State' using technology to keep an ever closer eye on its citizens while turning them into passive bystanders.  
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