How to shift people out of their cars

If motorists feel overtaxed, then commentators like Jackie Ashley (Don't be scared to confront people like me over car use, February 19) could point out the small amount of revenue raised from them as part of total taxation. She could point out that the external costs of motoring, of which congestion is a small part alongside numerous health and environmental disbenefits, are in excess of taxation on motoring.

Paying to use cars is no more inequitable than other forms of indirect taxation like VAT and, for those worried about lower-income motorists, taxation can be graded by income. Alternatively, carbon rationing allows an equitable distribution of resources.

Naturally, any reduction of car use requires alternatives, but success in bribing people on to buses in places like central London, where car use is unattractive anyway, is limited. If climate change, along with a variety of other issues, is to be properly addressed, the changes required for many motorists will feel unfair. A good start to confronting them is to describe the areas in which motorists, far from being oppressed, have been massively indulged.

Dr. Robert Davis
Secretary, Road Danger Reduction Forum
PO Box 2944
LONDON NW10 2AX