The ‘war on the motorist’ in Britain has arrived according to more than half of drivers.
According to a survey conducted for the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), only four out of ten drivers believe that the government is giving them a fair deal when it comes to driving and car ownership.
61% of respondents concurred that the 35 million drivers in the UK were under attack, primarily as a result of gruelling traffic congestion, Ulez fees, widespread use of cameras to police speed limits, and other restrictions like bus lanes.
The impending ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars was among the concerns felt by motorists.
The survey revealed that 59 per cent of people want the Government to either postpone the transition to more environmentally friendly cars or scrap it entirely.
Bob Bull, of the ABD, said: “If proof were needed, this poll shows that the British people believe that the authorities at every level are engaged in a war on the motorist.”
He added: “The official justification is often a woolly environmentalism, but we suspect that the real reason is that governments, councils and others regard the country’s 35million drivers as a cash cow to be fleeced of their money at every turn.
“Take the ban on new petrol and diesel cars after 2030. This crazy measure is both impractical and far from green.
“Impractical because electric cars are wildly expensive and because we don’t have the charging points or grid to cope with such a rapid upheaval.
“Far from green because evidence mounts every day that making electric vehicles – especially their huge batteries – generates more carbon dioxide emissions than the manufacture of conventional vehicles.”
With 52% of people over 55 saying that drivers are being targeted, older voters are the most likely to claim that there is a war on motorists. However, 44% of people aged 18 to 24 agree with the statement as well.
The poll’s findings point to a desire for government intervention, with more respondents agreeing that the government should attempt to halt the controversial Ulez expansion plan in London, which is scheduled to take effect next month, than that it should leave the decision to the capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan.
The results follow Boris Johnson’s Daily Mail editorial in which he criticised the mayor for sticking with his Ulez proposal. Mark Harper, the transport secretary, has encouraged local governments to investigate “low traffic neighbourhoods” (LTNs), many of which have gained a poor reputation. However, the survey found that respondents continued to embrace LTNs and 20 mph speed restrictions in general.
3 thoughts on “The ‘war on the motorist’: survey reveals concerns and discontent among UK drivers”
government don’t seem to listen to the downside of electric vehicles. they put more weight on the roads this damaging the roads if they break down they need to weight for a truck to move them, disposing of batteries is worse for the environment, replacing a buttery will cost £6-£10k, blind people/dogs cannot hear electric vehicles once it’s all electric then the cost of charging will go up. if an owner stays in a flat above ground level how do they charge their car
How about the insurance company’s ripping off the older motorist, with their take it or leave it attitude if they condisend to insure you they charge an exhorbitant price regardless of your qualifications.
Boris Johnson criticising the mayor of London is a bit rich. Khan is a perambulatory menace, but it was Boris who soddenly brought the phasing out of fossil engines forward to 2030.
20 mph speed limits make perfect sense when applied appropriately. Park Lane is not appropriate for a 20 mph limit. All it does is to clog up the traffic.
Fuel has come down in price a bit but is still too expensive. George Osborn ramped up VED from £20-30 to £140 claiming it was fair because it was lower than the average tax paid by all cars across the board. My Land Rover costs me over £350 a year. I do not see that going down. Still, come 2030, it will be free, which is nice.