Has UK Anti-Motorist Jihad Reached A Tipping Point?

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Over the last two days, there's been a definite upswell in UK government policies and plans that seem specifically designed to make UK motorists as miserable as possible. Yesterday, Pistonheads (birthplace of TTAC) reported that Nottingham City Council is planning a £350 annual tax on workplace parking spaces to force commuters to abandon their cars for public transportation. Subtext: Nottingham doesn't have the political or financial capital (or money) to create a London-style Congestion Charge; a parking spot tax is the next best thing. Eight other UK councils are considering the same idea. Also yesterday, Pistonheads revealed that the UK's Director of Public Prosecutions Ken McDonald said all UK drivers caught violating the ban on using a cell phone while driving should be charged with dangerous driving, which inflicts a driving ban and a maximum two year jail sentence upon convicted license holders. And today, Pistonheads says the Department for Transport and the satnav company Trafficmaster are secretly testing a system to monitor drivers' movements, as a possible prelude to a national, pay-as-you-go road pricing scheme and/or a method for speed enforcement. Can it get any worse for the UK's beleaguered motorists? Yes it will.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • DrivingEnthusiast.net DrivingEnthusiast.net on Sep 25, 2007

    That's just it - it's a democracy. Apathetic citizens care more about the latest episode of Tribe than they do about their slowly but surely evaporating freedoms. And a liberal administration that can't provide adequate roads and services thinks up alternatives that hijack those very rights. Socialism.

  • NICKNICK NICKNICK on Sep 25, 2007

    when 80% oppose speed cameras and still can't get rid of them, there is NO democracy

  • Luther Luther on Sep 25, 2007

    Wee "Fabian Society" Gordy needs the money so he can make Britian great....

  • Fallout11 Fallout11 on Sep 27, 2007

    Sadly, the UK is rapidly degenerating into an nation sized Orwellian inspired nanny-state theme park. Disgraceful.

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