Survey: Would You Drive With Big Brother?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.28.08
John tells us that a Scangauge will tell your insurance company if you "drive less, apply a light foot on the pedal, and avoid sudden stops" and that you will get lower rates if you are a good boy or girl. Don't we already have too many backseat drivers?
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as long as these don't work on bikes, we're good:)
Only if insurance agencies cannot use these to assess fault in an accident will I dream of using one of these devices. A congressional bill or court case would have to occur first.
Unless I'm mistaken, it's a bit misleading for you to run a picture of the ScanGaugeII for this story. The ScanGauge is a device used to provide real-time feedback to the driver of fuel use (among other things), so he can use the info to change driving habits to improve mileage. There's no reporting function included.
Your original story involved reporting via OnStar. So you might show an OnStar logo. But don't hit ScanGauge with the tar brush without justification.
I have no connection with ScanGauge other than as a satisfied customer.
How long for the benefits of this device to offset the construction of itself?
Seriously? do we really need another heap of junk to tell us we're successful at being fuel efficient when all you need is a calculator when you go to the pump? This sounds like greenwashing to me.
Not a chance I would use this item. We have enough electronic things, putting it nicely, in our cars already. The last thing we need to do is add more sensors and electrical draw to the system in the car.
Drive?
Another drop of oil on the already slippery slope away from freedom