UKIP rejects black boxes in cars plan
Tuesday, 25th September 2012
UKIP transport spokesman Mike Nattrass fears the Government is on the verge of opening Pandora’s box after its Lib Dem Transport Minister spoke out in favour of introducing black boxes in cars and charging motorists for every mile they travel.
West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass, who is a member of the EU’s Transport & Tourism Committee, says the spy in the sky suggestion by Transport Minister Norman Baker to replace road tax with pay-as-you-drive tolls shows the coalition Government is anti motorist.
Mr Nattrass says the introduction of snitch boxes in cars would infringe people’s rights to privacy in their vehicles.
He added that the EU controls the Government’s Sat Nav policy as the EU-Commissioned Project Veronica study recommended the mandatory installation of black boxes in all cars to record 20 types of data including recent vehicle movements and vehicle speed.
Mr Nattrass said the introduction of spy boxes in vehicles would be warmly welcomed by interfering Brussels bureaucrats who want to get the excessive cost of their Galileo satellite navigation system justified and running from 2014.
He said: “For many years I have warned that pay-as-you-go travel and further tolls would be introduced on our roads despite the fact that the M6 Toll in the West Midlands has proved to be a loss-making white elephant.
“Last year, the Con-Dem coalition claimed the introduction of toll lanes on motorways would be a great idea as they said it would boost the British economy and tackle congestion.
“Now, Mr Baker is fuelling further fears that pay-as-you-go travel could become a reality on our roads by suggesting that black boxes in vehicles is the way to go. The EU will be rubbing its hands with glee at his suggestion.
“Billions of euros are being wasted on the unnecessary Galileo satellite project which is being designed to compete with the existing free American GPS system.
“It is clear the EU is in the driving seat when it comes to our transport policy. It is time for this Government to stop being the passenger, pull out of the EU lay-by, and make our laws and legislation in Westminster,” he added.
