Will motoring matters impact how you vote?

Politicians from all parties have hit the campaign trail ahead of the common election in May possibly, making promises on the NHS, the economy and the loved ones.

But what about the motorist?

Sadly, no politician seems keen to woo the motorist vote, even though the average vehicle owner pays far more than their fair share of taxes.

In reality, of the £582.6 billion raised in UK taxes final financial year, nearly 10% came from motorists.

Duty calls

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

That’s a lot more than UK firms spend in organization prices (£26.8 billion) and practically the same quantity as the government collects in council tax (£27.5 billion).

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

Let’s not overlook the numerous hidden ‘taxes’, such as penalties for minor traffic and parking infringements. They should add up to quite a quite penny.

Exchequer mate

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

But no. Today’s drivers have to place up with potholes, puddles and parking permits. They frequently have to drive in the dark, also, with many roads now blacked out soon after midnight.

In a current AA survey, the state of the roads in common – and potholes in particular – came out as the quantity one concern for drivers.

It is no wonder. Professionals reckon potholes result in up to a single in 10 mechanical failures, costing motorists an estimated £730 million a year.

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

Price analysis

The price of motoring is also higher on the list of worries.

Petrol costs may possibly have come down in current months, but many motorists are suspicious of the massive oil organizations 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 believe tolls must be dropped from key river crossings, as they are in Scotland.”

Driving poor

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

They would for that reason like to see much more cops in automobiles to target dangerous behaviour such as tailgating and use of mobiles at the wheel.

There is also a call for much better road safety education within the national curriculum from an early age.

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

Far more not too long ago, the AA successfully 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 concerns alone. Well being, education and the economy tend to sway the outcomes.

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

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

• Situation: take away potholes, ring-fence funding, improve parking

• Congestion: get rid of bottlenecks, boost bypasses and capacity

• Casualties: get rid of unsafe junctions, increase education

• Co-operation: remove conflict, increase driver behavior

• Cost: eliminate unfair tolls, boost fuel cost transparency.

Drivers can show their help on twitter with #Vote4BetterRoads.

They can also question potential parliamentary candidates on their plans to assist drivers, assuming they handle to steer clear of the potholes on the campaign trail.

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

Will motoring matters impact how you vote?