Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Tolled and tracked

It is worrisome about the government expanding passive electronic tracking of the populace ("Tolls proposed for I-95," Feb. 5). It started with the recent use of toll scanners on the Triangle Expressway and is now proposed for I-95.

I have no objection to paying the tolls, but it is becoming increasingly evident that the government will soon know where we are and where we are going all of the time. Sure, the people behind it now profess it's all in innocence and for the ease of transaction and traffic. And it will stay that way until someone else wants to use the information for some other reason.

How long before we all have to carry IDs that can be passively scanned any time for any number of reasons, all in the name of ease of commerce or accountability?

Unlike some commercial areas that can be tracked (cellphones, credit cards, etc.), we have little choice but to use the public roads, especially such a major thoroughfare as I-95. Wonder if George Orwell knew Big Brother started as a simple toll collector?

Keith King

Cary