TULSA, Okla. — Think about the state monitoring your every mile behind the wheel. That could become reality in Oklahoma.
Oklahomans have to drive. Oklahoma has to maintain its own roads. Maintaining those roads costs money. One source of that money, the motor fuel tax, is not looking promising. ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, says his agency’s projections show the tax revenue remaining flat for the next several years.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation just completed a pilot program testing mileage tracking.
“We used every method that we could to track mileage," Gatz said.
More than half of the participants self-reported their miles, and about a third opted to use a device in their car.
“As we look at the future of transportation and the future of motor fuel tax, we see that as a declining revenue stream,” Gatz said.
Cars are gaining fuel efficiency these days, and an increasing number of Oklahomans are driving electric vehicles.
The pilot program assumed a fee of one cent per mile. Results of the trials projected each Oklahoman would pay about $124.80 per year. Comparatively, the average Oklahoman is paying about $111.72 in fuel taxes, according to ODOT.
Oklahomans have to drive. Oklahoma has to maintain its own roads. Maintaining those roads costs money. One source of that money, the motor fuel tax, is not looking promising. ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, says his agency’s projections show the tax revenue remaining flat for the next several years.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation just completed a pilot program testing mileage tracking.
“We used every method that we could to track mileage," Gatz said.
More than half of the participants self-reported their miles, and about a third opted to use a device in their car.
“As we look at the future of transportation and the future of motor fuel tax, we see that as a declining revenue stream,” Gatz said.
Cars are gaining fuel efficiency these days, and an increasing number of Oklahomans are driving electric vehicles.
The pilot program assumed a fee of one cent per mile. Results of the trials projected each Oklahoman would pay about $124.80 per year. Comparatively, the average Oklahoman is paying about $111.72 in fuel taxes, according to ODOT.
TRACKING MILES: Oklahoma explores program to charge drivers per mile
2 News Oklahoma's Brodie Myers asked ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, what a mileage-tracking program would look like for Oklahomans.
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