Telematics in cars

[dloper]

I just saw an advert on TV offering cheaper car insurance for drivers who agree to have a Telematic device installed in their car. Basically it's a tracking device which monitors driving technique.

We're being offered this as a money saving benefit for careful drivers - but how many drivers will realise that this is VERY intrusive spying and that by accepting the technology for a short term discount it will become the norm and when that happens, the insurance companies won't have to offer a discount?

Basically, we're being conned into accepting something which gives a short term 'reward' to 'safe' drivers and anyone who accepts this offer is selling out every drivers freedom for a short term gain.

[spaman]

Basically, we're being conned into accepting something which gives a short term 'reward' to 'safe' drivers and anyone who accepts this offer is selling out every drivers freedom for a short term gain.

Very much agree

The insurance companies are in the lead on this one... but it "won't be long..." until all cars have to get these devices fitted.

One of the ways our great friends in the EU plan to pay for the satellite that will make all of this technology more possible and to justify a European "satellite positioning" system, when the American one is fine... is to start charging drivers for how many KM of road they use... but beyond that, coming back to the big brother element - they will know where we all are and where we have been... and I earnestly believe that is the reason behind the project.

How necessary all of that is can only be justified by a warped mind.

The news on the implementation of such a scheme has gone below the radar, as always happens when responses from the public are too hot ... but look out for some announcements when once again the eurocrats starting talking about how crowded our roads are, and "oh gosh, what can we do about it?"

[Road_Hog]

One of the ways our great friends in the EU plan to pay for the satellite that will make all of this technology more possible and to justify a European "satellite positioning" system, when the American one is fine... is to start charging drivers for how many KM of road they use... but beyond that, coming back to the big brother element - they will know where we all are and where we have been... and I earnestly believe that is the reason behind the project.

We already have the EU satellite system, its called Galileo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo...te_navigation)

It is massively behind project, but is just starting to become operational. The EU intends to take control of air, sea and road transport for Europe under its TEN-T policy.

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/infras...e/index_en.htm

Part of this will be to bring in road charging, to fund its TEN-T programme. But it's just another excuse to extract money from us. There will be a eye/spy in the sky, through the Galileo satellites and all new cars will have black boxes. NuLabour tried to bring it in early, back in 2007, but with an e-petition of over 2 million signatures and Gordon Brown originally going to call a snap election in late 2007, he bottled it.

http://www.euractiv.com/transport/eu...on-news-505407

[spaman]

I must admit i'd lost track of the turns and delays on Galileo..so thanks for the links and update

Be interesting to see if the coalition do anything with this - enforcing the use of black boxes, etc etc...

[dloper]

I must admit i'd lost track of the turns and delays on Galileo..so thanks for the links and update

You may be lost but have no fear - the government will know where to find you.

[Steve Morson]

You may be lost but have no fear - the government will know where to find you.

Indeed:

[dloper]

I can't believe how the introduction of a device which is such a fundamental intrusion into our right to a private life and our right to go about our business without constant scrutiny can be so readily accepted or ignored!

We might as well get used to CCTV in our homes as a 'balanced response' to deter burglary. - 'We won't insure your home if we can't keep an eye on you. And by the way, your shopping habits as shown by your loyalty card at the supermarket are making us think again about your lifestyle choices and it's impact on your life insurance premium...'

[Road_Hog]

And by the way, your shopping habits as shown by your loyalty card at the supermarket are making us think again about your lifestyle choices and it's impact on your life insurance premium...'

A little fact, not known by many people. The Inland Revenue has access to your clubcard details. Back in the early 2000s NuLab introduced a bill to acquire your personal and shopping details from these. It was doen under the guise of the NHS needing it, in case there was ever something wrong with a food product and they could trace all those that had bought it and call them in for checking/treatment.

Then a short time later, quietly ammended the bill so that all government departments could access the data, including HMRC. I think I know what the plan was, right from the start.

[brianm]

Yes, I saw the ad as well.

Very disturbing...

It'd be nice to think the system crashes and burns but sheeple will probably take it up in droves.

And yes, one day, it won't be voluntary any more.

Although what might kill it, is when/if insurance companies use the data to get out of paying claims...