Will motoring matters affect how you vote?

Politicians from all parties have hit the campaign trail ahead of the common election in Might, generating promises on the NHS, the economy and the family.

But what about the motorist?

Sadly, no politician seems keen to woo the motorist vote, even although the typical automobile owner pays much more than their fair share of taxes.

In truth, of the £582.6 billion raised in UK taxes last monetary year, practically 10% came from motorists.

Duty calls

UK voters with cars and other automobiles spend £26.9 billion in fuel duty alone, according to the AA.

That is far more than UK organizations pay in business rates (£26.8 billion) and virtually the exact same amount as the government collects in council tax (£27.5 billion).

Motorists stump up a additional £6.1 billion in automobile excise duties, and £25 billion from VAT on fuel and auto sales, firm auto tax and insurance coverage premium tax.

Let’s not neglect the numerous hidden ‘taxes’, such as penalties for minor targeted traffic and parking infringements. They need to add up to fairly a pretty penny.

Exchequer mate

You’d believe the generous contribution to the chancellor’s coffers would win motorists some support in Westminster.

But no. Today’s drivers have to put up with potholes, puddles and parking permits. They typically have to drive in the dark, too, with many roads now blacked out right after midnight.

In a recent AA survey, the state of the roads in general – and potholes in certain – came out as the quantity 1 concern for drivers.

It is no wonder. Authorities reckon potholes trigger up to one particular in 10 mechanical failures, costing motorists an estimated £730 million a year.

Potholes and poorly maintained roads are also a threat to road security, specifically if you ride on 2 wheels rather than 4.

Expense evaluation

The cost of motoring is also high on the list of worries.

Petrol prices may well have come down in current months, but several motorists are suspicious of the large oil businesses and would like to see greater transparency more than prices at the pump.

The abolition of tolls in England and Wales would also be a vote winner.

Edmund King, president of the AA, says: “We will continue to oppose tolls and think tolls should be dropped from important river crossings, as they are in Scotland.”

Driving negative

Then there’s poor driving. Motorists are increasingly aggravated by poor driving requirements.

They would consequently like to see a lot more cops in vehicles to target dangerous behaviour such as tailgating and use of mobiles at the wheel.

There is also a get in touch with for much better road safety education inside the national curriculum from an early age.

But do Britain’s 35 million motorists have any political influence? Effectively, votes from Mondeo man helped to propel Tony Blair to energy in 1997.

More lately, the AA effectively campaigned to outlaw rogue wheel clamping on private land.

King’s speech

But the AA is realistic. King says: “The AA is apolitical and we understand that elections are not won or lost on motoring problems alone. Overall health, education and the economy have a tendency to sway the benefits.

“However, transport and motoring are crucial to economic development in the UK and shouldn’t be side-lined.”

The AA is calling on political parties to commit to 5 Cs:

• Condition: take away potholes, ring-fence funding, boost parking

• Congestion: eliminate bottlenecks, enhance bypasses and capacity

• Casualties: take away unsafe junctions, enhance education

• Co-operation: get rid of conflict, improve driver behavior

• Expense: get rid of unfair tolls, increase fuel price transparency.

Drivers can show their assistance on twitter with #Vote4BetterRoads.

They can also query prospective parliamentary candidates on their plans to assist drivers, assuming they handle to keep away from the potholes on the campaign trail.

 Image: Voting by redjar is licensed under CC BY-SA 2. 

Will motoring matters affect how you vote?