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Cheaper fuel for drivers who reduce congestion
David Williams, Motoring Editor17.10.07
Motorists should get cheap petrol in return for having a "black box" in their car that would automatically charge them for driving on congested roads.
The RAC Foundation today called on the Government to give drivers who install a congestion charging meter a discount on fuel duty.
The Government is proposing a complicated system of road tolls, including higher tariffs for people driving on busy roads during rush hour. The satellite-linked meter would automatically monitor each journey and work out how much the driver owes, displaying a running total.
Motorists who choose their route and time of travel carefully would be rewarded with lower costs.
Each time the driver buys petrol, a computer in the petrol pump detects the meter and add the charges to the bill - then deducts fuel duties.
Experts believe this "sweetener" could encourage people to plan their journeys more sensibly and avoid congested city centres or busy roads.
The scheme has already been successfully trialled in Oregon. The RAC Foundation said a similar scheme here could rekindle public support for road-pricing after 1.8 million people signed a Downing Street petition opposing it earlier this year.
Drivers who had the meter fitted would also get free satellite navigation for congestion avoidance, stolen vehicle tracking and an emergency button to alert police or breakdown services.
Other benefits would include discounts on road charges for low-emission cars, information on parking and cheaper insurance.
The RAC Foundation calculates that if just 10 per cent of drivers subscribed to the voluntary scheme, congestion on major routes and in cities would be significantly reduced.
Executive director Edmund King said: "Having a meter in the car outlining the cost of each trip will lead to a reduction in journeys. Most motorists fill up with fuel every couple of weeks and pay tax and insurance once a year, so they do not think about the true cost of every journey."
The organisation says drivers already contribute £44billion a year in motoring taxes.
"If the motorist is to be won over, government needs to demonstrate that pricing will be part of the solution to their needs, along with more investment in transport - not just another means to raise money and price them off the roads," said Mr King.
The foundation, which unveiled the scheme at a transport conference in London today, said nine in 10 motorists do not trust the Government to deliver a fair system of road pricing.
But they would be more likely to trust a voluntary system with clear benefits for them.
Reader views (6)
Road congestion is not a problem to be solved - it is the solution. People collectively option to ration road space by queuing rather than by tolls or alternative methods of transport.
Peak-hour public transport is already at capacity and is seriously overpriced. More capacity, extra carriages, new routes and cheaper fares are what is needed. This unfortunately seems to be at odds with our privatised and for-profit system.
Whose 11-mile drive to work from SE21 to W4 is quicker, cheaper and more pleasant than the train and tube.
- James, London
This government thinks it can solve every problem by creating a new tax. How about some incentives? A little carrot to go with the stick. In most major cities the majority of journeys are under 2miles! Where are the schemes to encourage cycling? Proper, safe cycling lanes for children and others to stop the school run for a start.
- Mark, London, UK
This is a desperate suggestion from those who want road pricing at any price.
The idea that fuel taxes would be reduced is a non starter. Most drivers think that fuel taxes are too high but they believe that they are the fairest and most efficient way of taxing roads users.
The suggestion is also misleading as it completely ignores the costs of tolling roads. The Government's own figures show that the cost of collection and enforcement could average £10 billion a year. This is nearly double what is spent on building and maintaining roads.
- N, Britain
These harebrained schemes always, always end up costing more. If we must raise taxes just put it on petrol - the more you use, the more you pay. That way you won't be punished for having a family car for weekends and something smaller for the daily commute.
- Paul, London
RAC please note that a Department for Transport survey also showed a heavy majority of motorists don't trust the private sector either.
It would probably also be illegal under European legislation to reduce fuel duty. Let's just save the cleverclogs ideas and push the government for better investment in roads.
- Brian, London
At a minimum the government will look to recover the huge set-up costs of this scheme from taxpayers so how can this not become more expensive than the current fuel taxation system. Given governments track record of increasing motorist tax burden how long will it be before the charges for this scheme are raised?
- Grant Stretch, Guildford
