Spying on drivers has been going on since the early 1970's---Ipersonally know that to be a fact!
Insurance companies do a lot of the spying. These same insurance companies also use sub-contractors to do their detective work. The insurance companies and subs have vehicles that are specially equipped with all kinds of video cameras and recorders which are used to monitor a particular drivers driving habits.
A few of the things noted on an observation report are: date,time, vehicle numbers, number of miles observed,following distance, lane changes, vehicle speed, weather conditions and specific observer comments.
I'm sure everyone agrees there are terrible drivers out there--many of them driving Commercial Vehicles. In a lot of cases if an insurance company feels a driver is un-safe,they will reccommend to the carrier that they insure, that the driver be terminated. The carrier at this point does not have many options. Insurance is expensive and no company wants to run the risk of having their insurance cancelled.
So, its my reccommendation that everyone just drive right and stay on their best behavior. You just might be the next driver to be observed!
Pappy