Letter - Driven to distraction (II)

Driven to distraction (II)

Following on from your article in last weeks Mercury, unfortunately my family and I are some of those who drive a four wheel drive in a rural area and may be penalised for owning a vehicle that provides me with a means for holidays in Europe, ferrying my dogs to the dale, visiting friends on farms and other services that a normal car could not provide. Is it not the case that this government is penalising owners outside of cities (London) (who frankly can probably afford the proposed £1800 per year road tax) and using global warming as an excuse to raise more revenue through taxation on a minority of car owners.

Would we not be better served, if the revenues for road tax were generated through the use of a vehicle as opposed to the type of a vehicle, if for example I drive 6000 miles in a year using my 4x4 as opposed to someone who covers 12,000 miles using a smaller engine sized vehicle in the same period, are they not contributing as much through emissions as I am?
Alternatively, let them increase the cost in fuel (tax) and allow those who want drive whatever vehicle to consider the costs involved not just a blanket increase on those who drive a particular vehicle for what may be extremely valuable reasons.

Let us not forget, that it is not just the farmers who could be impacted by this change, there are many people who live in the dales who have a use for 4x4 vehicles. It’s time this government took note and listened to those outside of London, after all......... we all have a life to lead!

Mr G R Umpy
Woodside
Barnard Castle