But the car drivers continue paying tax every time they top up the fuel tank. Fuel taxes are generally the single largest source of road maintanance funding.
That said, it's a complicated issue. Roads are built for ALL traffic, not just cars. Would you charge a pedestrian for walking on along a B road? However one poster's suggestion wasn't about banning them from all roads, just A roads. Certainly you wouldn't want them on the motorway, country lanes would be pushing it too far. But where in between to draw a line?
Road funding is from general and local taxes. It might be that a big chunk of that tax comes from fuel duty, but the same kind of thing might be said for taxes taken from smoking and alcohol paying for the bulk of the NHS ~ you wouldn't expect a drinker or smoker to get fast tracked just because they've paid a tax to the government coffers.
Don't get me wrong, I thing drivers get the rough end of the stick. Before you use your car it needs to be insured ~ and they have you over the barrel. Once you have it insured it needs fuel and you pay through the nose.
I used to drive ~ I got that miffed with the cost of insurance and rapidly rising fuel that I decided enough was enough, decided to do something about it, and stopped. Not feasible for some, I know.
But yes, it is a complicated issue. Several road going conveyances rightfully aren't allowed to use UK motorways* ~ bicycles, tractors, horses, mopeds / motor scooters below 50cc (I think that's it, someone will nudge me if not
). Some overly wide loads and / or speed restricted vehicles can only travel via the motorway network after gaining special permission for that trip and will only do so if they have an official escort.
* Some A roads also have motorway classification / regulation and, as with the M-Roads, cannot be used by these low powered users.
Personally I'd like to see a requirement for all users of motor vehicles to have to make trips in traffic using horse or pedal power (or battery for those not capable of pedalling) ~ it might lead to a better understanding and a bit more leniency on all sides. That won't happen, of course, but it doesn't stop me thinking it'd be a good idea
.
I think you know what I meant by 'road tax'
Yep, I knew exactly what you meant ~ which is why previous post asked why horse riders and cyclists should pay more to use the roads than drivers of Band A cars. The fact that the majority do pay at the moment is irrelevant ~ because you
could be an ordinary driver paying zero VED.
How about compulsory insurance then for cyclists and horse riders who use the road system? Happy with that? Paying a couple of quid a week is better than someone like me suing them if they cause an accident and having them pay me each month for potentially the rest of their lives?
More than happy for all road users to be insured in case of causing damage to another user / their mode of transport ~ cyclists who zip recklessly in and out of traffic need a clack round the lug-hole, as do pavement cyclists (Max fine of £500 for that by the way
).
Here's a somewhat absurd thought ... How do you feel about pedestrians crossing the road? Only at designated crossing points? Require insurance in case they cross when they shouldn't and damage a road conveyance?
What age should you be to cycle or ride a horse on the road? Where should people under that age cycle or horse ride?
There are a LOT of bad cyclists Paul, to be honest down here they are a danger to themselves and others,
To be fair Rik, there a lot of poor road users. We need to concentrate on poor road skills and poor road awareness than the number of wheels or legs ~ because you can almost guarantee that a cyclist with poor road sense will likely be a poor driver too (most adult cyclists also drive :yikes
. Similarly most adult horse riders are also likely to be drivers.
stupid idiots on mountain bikes et el crossing lanes without a care in the world, no lights, no helmets and if I have to carry insurance to cover my bottom so should they, why should I subsidise their stupidity.
Again it's road skills and awareness, it's not just cyclists who do the lane swapping without paying due care and attention ~ watch at a roundabout to see just how many cars, vans, lorries flit from one to the other and back again.
