Advertisement Vehicle Miles Traveled tax proposed VMT would tax miles driven; Opponents voice frustration Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Census data shows the average American drives around 10,000 miles a year. So what if each and every one of those miles you drive was taxed?Some Maryland lawmakers have proposed that, and it has some advocates speaking up.Mobile users tap here for videoSupporters of the proposal call it a Vehicle Miles Traveled tax, or VMT. As proposed in the state's transportation master plan, it would be in addition to and would not replace the state gas tax.Although it's still more of an idea than reality, the opposition to charging motorists a fee per mile driven is as strong as road rage, the I-Team's David Collins said."There's a certain mindset among some lawmakers that driving is a sin and it should be taxed to deter it," said Ron Ely, with the Maryland Drivers Alliance."I think that's just taxing the people way too much. We already spending enough on the gas prices, and then you are going to charge me everywhere I drive? It’s like I'm paying to leave out my door," said Lynnei McManus, of Washington, D.C.Maryland's master transportation plan contains an option for a VMT tax. It was inspired by the desire to cut emissions and by diminishing gas tax revenues.How to do it is a work in progress. A government-issued GPS is one of the ideas on the table."It gives the government one more shot at knowing what I'm doing, controlling what I'm doing. It’s bad enough we have the taxes, but now they are going to know how far I drive, ostensibly where I drive," said Larry Hineline, of Towson."Where are they going to get that information from, who are they going to give it to and what are they going to do with that information?" another driver asked.Many drivers predicted this will never happen. They said it’s too complicated to pull off.A handful of state legislators are so concerned about it that they introduced legislation this year prohibiting the practice. That bill died in committee. Lawmakers are convinced the miles-driven fee would be on top of the gas tax and tolls, not a replacement for them."I don't see them replacing it. I think it would be in addition to -- and what message does that send to people who have invested in economical cars, who've invested in hybrids and electric cars?" said Del. Kathy Szleiga, of Baltimore County.Other states are close to implementing it. The growing number of gas-free vehicles in California inspired legislation to charge 5 cents a mile. It would start as a pilot program in a to-be-determined city.Next year in Oregon, 5,000 volunteers will have mileage meters installed. They'll pay 1.5 cents a mile instead of a state gas tax."I think it needs more study," said resident Echika Agugua, of Towson.More study may be the key. A 2012 report by the investigative arm of Congress determined using GPS technology may be costly. The report also cited privacy concerns.