LAS VEGAS >>It may soon be harder for Nevada taxi drivers to take unsuspecting passengers on long rides just to rack up the meter.

The Las Vegas Sun reports the Nevada Transportation Authority approved a statewide test of software to detect taxi “long-hauling.”

The illegal practice involves drivers taking an indirect route to a destination so the fare is higher. It has given the taxi industry a bad name, but is difficult for regulators to control.

The RideIntegrity software developed by Frias Transportation Infrastructure would track a cab’s movements with GPS and store the information in a database. The records could be retrieved later to check complaints about long-hauling.

A pilot program will be funded by the developer and includes monitoring 150 taxis, sedans and limousines.