Following an initiative first adopted by the UAE, the UK is now considering installing black boxes in cars to curb reckless driving.The article refers to the 19Mar04 Gulf News coverage of the UAE plan here. See also this 16Apr05 GN article. See also this Khaleej Times article on impletation of the Abu Dhabi plan.
The smart box will record information regarding the speed of the car and transmit it through a wireless system via satellite.
Britain is also thinking of introducing financial incentives for those willing to install the devices that keep vehicles within the speed limit, as reported in the British media.
The Telegraph on 19 September reported:
The proposals, regarded by ministers as being at an embryonic stage, are based on a report produced by the Motorists' Forum at the request of Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary.Regarding UK road pricing proposals, here is a recent article.
They formed part of a wide-ranging package unveiled by Stephen Ladyman, the roads minister, who gave it a cautious endorsement.
. . .
Whitehall believes it can build on technology which is already in use. Many cars have computers providing information to garages about how they have been driven.
Norwich Union has offered motorists pay-as-you-drive insurance based on data collected by a black box it installs in the car.
Similar technology is being used on a far wider scale in the United Arab Emirates, which plans to install black boxes in 700,000 official cars.
These tell the driver when the speed limit is being broken. If a warning is ignored, it tips off the nearest police patrol car by text message and alerts a control centre, which issues a speeding ticket.
Such a draconian approach is unlikely, given ministers' reluctance to antagonise motorists or provoke accusations of Big Brother tactics.
The Motorists' Forum, which called for the introduction of the black boxes, said real-time monitoring of the data should not be allowed.
. . .
With the Government keen to encourage rather than coerce motorists, one option would be for drivers to be given an incentive to buy safer cars through the tax or - if it is introduced - road-pricing system. Incentives are already in place for fuel-efficient vehicles.
From time to time you read that Dubai is planning some form of toll system. Here's one of the more modest concepts, quoting in full:
Three consortia submitted bids to Dubai Municipality on 3rd April for the main contract to install an electronic road toll system in the emirate. The consortia leaders: Austria’s Kapsch, Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation; and the US’ Transco. A fourth bidder - Spain’s Televent - pulled out of the race.jbc - http://emirateseconomist.blogspot.com/
Dubai Municipality plans to fast-track the scheme as part of a wider drive to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Dubai. It will also be a major source of revenue for the municipality. The 12 month design and build contract will see the installation of manual and electronic systems in and around Dubai with specific focus on entry from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
The municipality is also mulling options to toll drivers on exit routes to neighbouring emirates. Among the streets to be tolled in Dubai are Bank Street, Banias Street and Al-Maktoum Street. The successful consortium will also be required to operate the system for six years.
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