I believe that 40 of the UK's biggest urban authorities have now introduced 20 mph zones, and that 28 Million people now live in areas where 20 mph is the norm.
Motorists are really being attacked at the moment. Our trusty old petrol cars will soon no longer be manufactured, and we will eventually be forced to drive electric vehicles instead (which seem very prone to exploding for no apparent reason). No thanks.
The price of petrol seems to rise regularly. Cars are now so complicated that only very expensive computer-aided servicing is possible. And taxes, MOT's, and insurance costs, are making motoring extremely expensive. I suppose they want us all to ride bikes or horses.
With train drivers often on strike, and the rail system very inefficient and expensive, we are almost obliged to use cars for long journeys; especially if our destination is nowhere near a railway station. It no longer surprises me that so many people drive without tax and insurance; not that I approve!
If we walk or ride bikes our 'Carbon Footprint' will certainly benefit, but the economy is bound to suffer. If workers can no longer move freely from place to place without being 'fined', they will simply stay at home.
In areas where they have ULEZ restrictions, all non-compliant vehicles have to pay £12.50 per day; that's £87.50 per week. That money has to be earned or added to bills; we will all pay one way or another in the long term.
'Supercars' are now a common sight. These expensive fast cars are becoming more expensive and faster by the day. Top speeds well over 200 mph are common, and acceleration from 0 to 60 is registered in nano-seconds. With speeds limited to 20 mph, there doesn't seem much point in owning one, unless one is prepared to pay endless fines.
At least I can say that I have a non-polluting compliant car, and I also have a garage; so no ULEZ fines, and no parking fines. I have absolutely no control over the rest; I'm putty in their hands.
Not convinced about electric vehicles, they have restricted range and require some time to re-charge, that's if you can find a charging point. Don't believe they're as eco-friendly as promoted, they use mains electric to charge up, and I read about how many tons of soil need to be mined to extract the necessary minerals used to manufacture these batteries. And how do they get disposed of when they reach the end of life?
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't want one. I vaguely understand the internal combustion engine, and I'm not about to try to understand an electric one.
DeleteAs an aside on electric cars, I have read that in the early part of the last century, before the Model T Ford, around a third of cars were electric. However the ready availability of petrol, and it's huge convenience re refuelling meant that electric cars quickly died out except for very specialist applications (milk floats...). Funny how those same disadvantages from over a century ago are rearing their heads again now - as someone (I don't recall who) once said: those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.
ReplyDeleteMilk floats were fine. They had a circuit of a few miles, and were only required to travel at 3 mph. Driving from the UK down to the South of France (as I do often) is another matter. I'll stick with petrol.
DeleteIt is being suggested that the huge multi storey car park fire ( and collapse of car park) last night at Luton airport was caused by an electric car " exploding" ! I wouldn't want that happening in my car port !!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard about this fire. But the explanation sounds very likely.
DeleteInteresting you haven't heard about the fire and yet you have a smart phone. Does your phone do nothing?
DeleteI've been busy all morning. I shall watch the 1 pm news.
DeleteSorry Cro but at the moment I am quite unable to read your small print on the black background. I hope to have a cataract removed from my right eye on Wednesday next week (and then a short while later one on my left eye) - hopefully then I will be able to read you again.
ReplyDeleteIf you hold down the 'ctral' key, then press +, the print will become bigger. I hope this helps.
DeletePushing electric car fires to the fore, hides the huge number of internal combustion engine vehicles fires...just saying.
ReplyDeleteI've only seen one, and that was on the M1. A group of Asians watched as their mini-bus burnt to ashes. Frightening.
DeleteThe Fire Service can put out petrol engine fires. They are still struggling with how to cope with electric car fires. There is extensive published research and papers on the subject.
DeleteI used to keep a small extinguisher in my car. I don't know if it would have helped much.
DeletePutty in their hands - just as you were in Lady Magnon's hands all those years ago when she decided to snare you!
ReplyDeleteIt's the stuff of legends!
DeleteThere's free rural and urban public transport in Luxembourg. Nearly 35 million cars in the UK. Do you not think there's too many Cro?
ReplyDeleteI think it's appalling. Every time we return from France we can hardly believe the amount of traffic, and, as a result, the dreadful state of the roads.
DeleteThe more I read and hear about the UK, from friends still living there, I feel the less likely I am ever to return - even for a short visit. It would seem like a totally alien land. Nowhere is perfect, but I feel that the UK has lost it's way. Every facet of society seems to be targeted to make life as difficult or as complicated as possible.
ReplyDeleteThere are factions everywhere who are trying to change the very face of Britain. Sadly they are succeeding in many areas.
DeleteCopper's girl my thoughts exactly.
DeleteI often think, all of that money to be at the next traffic light, or stop sign a couple of seconds faster than I will.
ReplyDeleteI'm always expecting to see them in a ditch. In a way I almost wish I would.
DeleteSomehow I do not believe the production of EV cars will uphold the goal of everyone driving an EV. Currently, I have no desire to buy an EV. When all the bugs are corrected....maybe I'll buy. US speed limits have stayed the same -- 55-65 mph on the highway and country roads are 20-35 mph. This all seems okay to me.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that some time between now and when the production of petrol cars is supposed to end, that some reason will be found to continue their manufacture. At least I hope it will.
DeleteIn rural and remote communities there is little or no effective and convenient public transport in many areas and cars will always be needed. Where neither is available to people such as workers in the hospitality industry getting home in the evening can be a serious problem and, in such areas, many restaurants and pubs are struggling for staff.
ReplyDeleteWhere we live in France, life would be impossible without a car; preferably petrol.
DeleteI will not drive or ride an electric vehicle unless forced to. They emit EMFs that some people have a low tolerance for. A baby can't say no thanks to EMFs. Recommended standards are a joke, nice to have, but it is well known what they say today can change tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI see Hydrogen as the future. I believe they are now being manufactured.
DeleteULEZ?
ReplyDeleteUltra Low Emission Zone.
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