( Jump to Content )
thoughts and perspectives on the web, business and the new economy
Mario Thomas
An ideas man in a digital world
Newsletters
Get the latest business tips and industry news with my monthly newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time you wish.
My Two Cents - Road Pricing
Published 01st March 2007
Like many people here in the UK I spend a lot of my time driving to meetings, the shops and generally getting around. I tend not to touch public transport unless I’m going to London in which case I’ll catch the GNER or a plane. But the recent Downing Street petition against road pricing got me thinking, so here’s my two cent’s on the subject.
It seems the Government has a plan - put a little black box in everybody’s car and then charge them for using the roads on a pay-per-use basis.
This to me is a bit rich. Firstly, we’ve paid for the roads through years of taxation and secondly, the roads are too congested for me to even contemplating paying for what I consider a second rate ’service’.
However, something needs to be done if we’re going to reduce congestion and keep the roads in great condition for those of us who actually enjoy driving.
My Solution
Well, here’s my starter for 10. It’s not based on any research, just the idea’s I’ve had while heading up and down the M1 over the past 10 years:
- Introduce an additional petrol tax of say 5p per litre.
- Ring-fence this additional money for the specific purpose of road improvements and road building.
- Abolish road tax, taking with it the huge number of civil servants that currently manage it. This includes all those road tax ‘detector’ vans and the need for tax discs.
- Use the money saved here for more road improvements.
- Rely on an annual electronically submitted MOT certificate confirming a car is road worthy - fine those garages fiddling the system.
- Target the 2 million or so ‘illegal’ cars on UK roads - thereby reducing congestion - annual MOT’s will reveal who these people are and where their cars are.
That’s it, no expensive technology, no intrusive devices and a leaner, greaner government machine with a hand’s off light touch approach to its citizens - perfect.
( Jump to Top )
Make a Comment!
Be the first to make a comment on this post using the form below!
This comment system supports the Globally Recognised Avatars.
Simply use your Gravatar email in your post and your Avatar will appear automatically. If you don't have a Gravatar you can Signup here. It's free, simple and quick.