Coming Soon to a Freeway Near You

A year ago Florida introduced cashless toll roads. Cameras arranged above the toll ways photograph passing vehicles’ license plates. In due time the auto’s owner gets a bill for the toll charge. The system is at present limited to the Miami/Dade region and south, including the only convenient freeway that gives access to the Florida Keys. As best as I can make out, the only other state that “offers” this new convenience is Texas—but I understand that Missouri is pondering such a scheme as well. Progress, progress.

Here the consequences of a political culture where cutting taxes has taken on the rudiments of a new religion. Just ponder the benefits. Foremost among these, from the states’ point of vantage, is that people employed in collecting tolls at booths may be laid off; in the construction of new toll ways, toll booth construction may also be avoided—although mounting metallic structures to hold the cameras will be a new cost. No people needed. Lenses and computers do the whole job.

What this portends is that, ultimately, all roads will turn into toll roads once cities catch up with the states. As technology makes yet another leap, it may also be possible, perhaps, to measure the intake of air by people breathing as they walk on public thoroughfares, like sidewalks, and air intake will then be tolled next. That, of course, will generate additional exciting industries such as breathing masks with little tanks, the oxygen inside them priced just a mill or so below the cost of the cashless air toll of the future.

Ain’t it grand to be living in our hi-tech times?