Will motoring matters impact 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 household.

But what about the motorist?

Sadly, no politician seems keen to woo the motorist vote, even even though the average automobile owner pays 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 vehicles pay £26.9 billion in fuel duty alone, according to the AA.

That’s much more than UK firms spend in organization prices (£26.8 billion) and practically the exact 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, company car tax and insurance coverage premium tax.

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

Exchequer mate

You’d think 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 frequently have to drive in the dark, too, with several roads now blacked out soon after midnight.

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

It’s no wonder. Professionals 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.

Expense evaluation

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

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

Driving undesirable

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

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

There is also a contact for greater road safety education within 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 energy in 1997.

Far more not too long ago, 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 comprehend that elections are not won or lost on motoring concerns alone. Wellness, education and the economy tend 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: get rid of potholes, ring-fence funding, increase parking

• Congestion: take away bottlenecks, enhance bypasses and capacity

• Casualties: get rid of unsafe junctions, boost education

• Co-operation: take away conflict, boost driver behavior

• Price: remove unfair tolls, increase fuel value transparency.

Drivers can show their support on twitter with #Vote4BetterRoads.

They can also question potential parliamentary candidates on their plans to help 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?