Will motoring matters impact how you vote?

Politicians from all parties have hit the campaign trail ahead of the general election in May, generating promises on the NHS, the economy and the household.

But what about the motorist?

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

In fact, of the £582.6 billion raised in UK taxes last financial year, virtually 10% came from motorists.

Duty calls

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

That is more than UK businesses spend in enterprise prices (£26.8 billion) and virtually the same amount as the government collects in council tax (£27.5 billion).

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

Let’s not forget the countless hidden ‘taxes’, such as penalties for minor traffic and parking infringements. They must add up to very a quite 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 place up with potholes, puddles and parking permits. They often have to drive in the dark, also, with a lot of roads now blacked out soon after midnight.

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

It’s no wonder. Experts reckon potholes lead to 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 safety, particularly if you ride on 2 wheels rather than 4.

Cost analysis

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

Petrol prices may well have come down in recent months, but a lot of motorists are suspicious of the massive oil businesses and would like to see higher transparency over rates 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 must be dropped from important river crossings, as they are in Scotland.”

Driving undesirable

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

They would consequently like to see much more cops in automobiles to target unsafe behaviour such as tailgating and use of mobiles at the wheel.

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

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

More lately, 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 comprehend that elections are not won or lost on motoring concerns alone. Well being, education and the economy tend to sway the benefits.

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

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

• Situation: get rid of potholes, ring-fence funding, enhance parking

• Congestion: remove bottlenecks, improve bypasses and capacity

• Casualties: remove unsafe junctions, improve education

• Co-operation: eliminate conflict, improve driver behavior

• Expense: remove unfair tolls, enhance fuel cost transparency.

Drivers can show their support on twitter with #Vote4BetterRoads.

They can also query potential parliamentary candidates on their plans to help drivers, assuming they manage 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?