What do cars have to do with it?

[roxfox]

Just wondering why it keeps coming up about people not using cars as much during the pandemic?

I keep seeing things saying it's better to cycle, or people being encouraged not to use their car so much. I don't get what on earth that has to do with the pandemic, like surely there's less risk on transmission for people in their cars.

And yes of course it's better for the environment I know that. But how is it relevant to rules brought in with the pandemic? (I know non essential travel is allowed now, but why was it stopped in the first place in terms of being in a car?)

I don't drive anyway by the way and our family relies on public transport (which is super upsetting now as we aren't allowed to use it now!)

I stumbled upon a conspiracy theory the other day And it was something like this has been used to help with climate change and reduce our impact on the world as we are running out of time to save the planet... which is sort of in line with the headlines a few years ago and all the stuff with Greta. Anyway if this post makes any sense, what do you think/know about the whole car thing?!

[Waxonwaxoff0]

I believe people were discouraged from using cars for non essential travel in case of road accidents putting more strain on the NHS.

A lot of people are working from home now anyway so less cars are on the road.

[inwood]

All I've seen is that people are using cars less because we are on lockdown.

We are actively being encouraged to drive to work to avoid PT so I'm not sure what you are seeing?

[ErrolTheDragon]

My take on it is that this mainly applies to urban environments. Public transport should be reserved for those who really need it. IIRC BJ actually said try to walk, cycle or use a car when he was talking about people going back to work. But not everyone has a car, and congestion is a problem in cities plus parking may be an issue. So, surely it's obvious that walking or cycling if at all possible will help the situation?

There's really no need for a conspiracy theory to explain why using alternative means of transport makes sense.

[Laniakea]

I think it was more that they didn’t want ppl to travel “non essentially” ... & that’s easier to do by car than on foot!

[IDefinitelyHaveFriends]

Because in the big cities if everyone who would normally take public transport to work drove instead there would be instant gridlock.

[ErrolTheDragon]

why was it stopped in the first place in terms of being in a car?

Limiting unnecessary geographical spread.

[sleepingdragon]

In relation to schools opening they are encouraging people not to drive so that you don't get a row of cars, with a family standing on the pavement at each car trying to strap kids in, and other families on the pavement trying to get past on their way home.

[cologne4711]

Cars produce pollution. Covid-19 is a respiratory illness, albeit that it affects other parts of the body other than the lungs.

Pollution and lung disease do not mix.

And anyway, we should be taking this as a wake-up call and reduce pollution generally.

As for non-essential travel, they didn't want people having accidents and putting different sorts of pressures on the NHS.

And cycling or walking is better than sitting on one's lardy arse in a car.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I stumbled upon a conspiracy theory the other day And it was something like this has been used to help with climate change and reduce our impact on the world as we are running out of time to save the planet.

How exactly does a disease which makes public transport risky and possibly non-viable in any way likely to help climate change and reduce our impact on the world?

[TabbyMumz]

"Ibelieve people were discouraged from using cars for non essential travel in case of road accidents putting more strain on the NHS."
I think the above was just a mumsnet theory, this was never said by the government. For me, it wasnt the car journey itself, but the fact that you were going somewhere not in your area and then getting out of the car...ie it is the risk from you then passing it to others, rather than just staying at home.