Horses, stables, bolts and doors. As usual, the government is passing the buck. I seem to remember that 10 years ago some fat politician telling us all that he'd solve the UK transport problem. Naturally, being John Prescott, he didn't. So now, the motorist is to be blamed and charged to cover up the lack of a genuine and progressive transport policy.
If road tax and fuel tax were removed and road pricing brought in, we may have a chance. If each car has to have a tracking system installed, nobody on earth (well, British earth) will believe that this won't be used for ulterior motives by other government agencies.
If successive governments had not squandered the billions forked out by motorists, we could have had monorails, high-speed trains, local trains, cargo trains to replace lorries. We still could have lorries moving only at night on long-haul. We could have better understanding of how to drive on motorways (such as pulling into the lane on your left if it's clear no matter which lane we're talking about). We could encourage motorists instead of hounding them. Councils could provide park and ride. Traffic wardens could be educated. Better use of canals for local non-urgent goods. Office hours could be staggered. Certain schools ditto. Taxis could be price-controlled. The police could re-open roads much more quickly after an accident (see how Germany does it).
For those who say we have never had cheaper motoring (Transport 2000, for example) this is not quite true. Certainly, the initial costs appear cheaper given the inflation rate and earnings of drivers compared to 2 decades ago. However, build in the time cost of wasted hours stuck in a jam on even simple journeys and suddenly that cost escalates.
Come on, the list is endless. Only the politicians are weak and scatterbrained.
And, finally, if people in road transport discussions didn't shout at each other, we might - just - find some solutions. It's in all our interests. And, I didn't sign the petition, bytheway!
2007-02-20 10:25:24
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answer #1
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answered by michael w 3
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The fact is that congestion must be self limiting to a point - it is a fact that people do not choose to be using certain roads at certain times - it is an essential part of our lives.
It is a fallacy that road pricing will solve anything. It will make working any distance from your home very uneconomic. The economy in general needs to be highly mobile to work. Anything that inhibits this must have very negative consequences overall. Especially compared to economies that do not have such high taxes on movement.
Most of us know that it can be an unpleasant experience negotiating any city during rush hour - we just have to be at a certain place by a certain time.
If alternatives existed that worked we would use them. They have to be built.
2007-02-20 18:57:01
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answer #2
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answered by LongJohns 7
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Just got my e mail from Blair,explaining the cost implications,of congestion. The argument for charging falls down in this area alone. If it cost you money waiting to get from a to b because of congestion,the government will charge you instead to free up road space,by taxing the poorest people of the road.But your still paying and the only gains are for the exchequer.That's what i call a stealth tax.With the loss of freedom of movement to the working man.It must be a total NO NO.
2007-02-20 23:27:40
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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In the United States, humorist Will Rogers had the solution years ago.
He said we should initiate a law that prevents any one from driving a vehicle on a public road until the vehicle was paid for.
2007-02-20 18:08:56
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answer #4
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answered by LeAnne 7
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Sadly, I think we're done for and it's mostly down to us.
We want everyone else to use the bus, but don't want to go on one myself, it brings out the Howard Hughes complex!
We want more roads, but not the road outside my house, think of the house prices!
We don't want direct, transparent taxation like income tax increased, so it's stealth'd onto petrol, leaving little room for increases to pay for PT improvements.
All that can be done really is better policing of roads - driving down illegal drivers, and putting PCSOs/BTP on buses. But that'll take manpower, manpower costs money, money=taxation!
2007-02-20 18:13:01
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answer #5
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answered by barryboys 3
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Here's a thought.......raise the price of gasoline to $10 a gallon. That way people won't be able to afford to drive as frequently as they do. They will be forced to car pool or take public transportation! Not only that, but it will help reduce the number of uninsured motorists who drive up our rates! That way the people who don't pay for auto insurance won't be able to pay for gasoline either! Remember that driving is a PRIVILEGE! Not a right!
2007-02-20 18:14:15
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answer #6
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answered by ? 4
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Build better roads, and invest in cleaner car and fuel technology, instead of being taxed to the limit to pay for Labour incompetence.
2007-02-20 18:38:45
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Any pratt who gets more than 6 points on his license gets his car crushed, no if's but's or ....
Proof of speeding - car taken away from you forever.
All people can use a car if the have 3 or more in the car at one moment.
Create a better + reliable public transport system.
All cars to be fitted with a speed limiter.
Congestion charge in all cities exempt from your own 'local' city
2007-02-20 18:24:45
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answer #8
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answered by confused 4
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Export the idea for congestion charges for cheap petroleum from a poorer nation.
2007-02-20 18:05:30
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answer #9
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answered by katrinasfather 3
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There's an easy solution. Years ago factories used to run works buses for their employees. Why can't this be done now?
2007-02-20 19:20:51
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answer #10
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answered by Sandee 5
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