Everybody needs something to rant about. For me, it's SUVs
(letter published in the Irish Times on 6 August 2004)
Madam, - In light of the latest rise in oil prices and the continuing increasein traffic congestion on our streets your report on the rise in sales of SUVs,or 4x4s (August 3rd), is timely.
The reasons quoted for owning these vehicles - such as, "People get out ofyour way a little bit quicker", and the misguided claim that they are safer -certainly say a lot about the type of people who choose to drive them.
These vehicles are a danger to other road users, especially pedestrians, forseveral reasons. Their stopping distance is far greater than that of anordinary saloon car so in the event of an emergency an accident is far morelikely. Their vast bulk and the addition of "bull bars" means that when an impact does occur the likelihood of death or serious injury is far greater.Their size obscures the view of the road for other road users and thus prevents them from seeing potential hazards.
In addition they are totally unsuited to Irish urban driving as they are not able to squeeze through small gaps and therefore often cause hold-ups on roads and in car parks. They also cause far more wear and tear on our roads - and even our pavements, since many of their owners believe these to be a legitimate place to drive or park.
For these reasons and the well known environmental impact caused byunnecessary over-engineering and poor fuel economy is it not time for the Minister for the Environment to examine the way car tax is rated. Instead of basing rates entirely on engine capacity, we could have a system based on a vehicle's overall environmental effect. It would not be that difficult to create a scoring system for vehicles based on size, weight, fuel efficiencyand safety rating. Such a system need not be used to increase the revenuetaken from the motorist but to reward those who choose a less selfish type ofvehicle.
Yours, etc.,
DIARMAID MAC AONGHUSA, Shankill, Co Dublin.
Madam, - In light of the latest rise in oil prices and the continuing increasein traffic congestion on our streets your report on the rise in sales of SUVs,or 4x4s (August 3rd), is timely.
The reasons quoted for owning these vehicles - such as, "People get out ofyour way a little bit quicker", and the misguided claim that they are safer -certainly say a lot about the type of people who choose to drive them.
These vehicles are a danger to other road users, especially pedestrians, forseveral reasons. Their stopping distance is far greater than that of anordinary saloon car so in the event of an emergency an accident is far morelikely. Their vast bulk and the addition of "bull bars" means that when an impact does occur the likelihood of death or serious injury is far greater.Their size obscures the view of the road for other road users and thus prevents them from seeing potential hazards.
In addition they are totally unsuited to Irish urban driving as they are not able to squeeze through small gaps and therefore often cause hold-ups on roads and in car parks. They also cause far more wear and tear on our roads - and even our pavements, since many of their owners believe these to be a legitimate place to drive or park.
For these reasons and the well known environmental impact caused byunnecessary over-engineering and poor fuel economy is it not time for the Minister for the Environment to examine the way car tax is rated. Instead of basing rates entirely on engine capacity, we could have a system based on a vehicle's overall environmental effect. It would not be that difficult to create a scoring system for vehicles based on size, weight, fuel efficiencyand safety rating. Such a system need not be used to increase the revenuetaken from the motorist but to reward those who choose a less selfish type ofvehicle.
Yours, etc.,
DIARMAID MAC AONGHUSA, Shankill, Co Dublin.
posted by Diarmaid Mac Aonghusa at 15:43
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