AIBU to think that people should only be allowed a 4x4 if they actually need one?

[boomting]

They are ridiculously fuel inefficient, and given the finite supplies of oil and the effects on climate change (and no this isn't a climate change thread!), I think that the government should only allow you to own a 4x4 if you have a demonstrable reason for needing one. You would have to submit a form and be issued with a special licence to own one. Reasons could include being a farmer, or having to tow heavy trailers that cannot legally be towed with a smaller vehicle. This isn't an exhaustive list of acceptable reasons, but people who only use them for the school run and going to the supermarket shop should not be allowed to use them.

AIBU?

It isn't though. It doesn't cover congestion, noise, pollution and all other negative externalities. What we should really have is a sophisticated road pricing system, varying on car, road and time of day, but would be too unpopular.

Beanjuice

I read somewhere (probably The Economist ) that the current level of taxes on fuel is above the level required to compensate for the negative externalities of burning the fuel.

I don't know about other car-related negative externalities though.

Sorry, haven't read last couple of pages but just to say having a 4x4 has benefited others in all the snow. Our local council put out a plea for people to deliver meals on wheels as their van wouldn't cope with the roads. I spent a couple of hours yesterday driving dinners around feeling very useful!

I got a compact 4x4 which is a Ford Kuga, is superb in this snow.

It's not big, it uses about the same as a normal car, 32 mpg. We live on roads which are not gritted and we need to open our business. So do I qualify for flaming?

I have a 1965 classic landrover. I love her and would not give her up for all the tea in china. She is very fuel economic,more so then alot of modern cars my friends have. I dont drive my little one to school in her,we walk and I cant go super market shopping in her because she is too tall for the car park so we online shop and big gas guzzeling van drops off the shopping.
We dont live on a farm (anymore) but we use her to tow, help friends out (alot), pull random people though floods and up snowed in hills plus as a family 'car' .
We use alot less fuel then most familes as my partner cycles 8miles to work each day and I walk alot.
We have a fuel budget each month to use in the motor bikes or landy when the budget is gone we walk.
Please dont judge all 4x4 drivers the same!

I hate the way that all 4x4 drivers are lumped together as ostentatious wanker drivers who can't park and think they are better than everyone else.

I know loads of people who have 4x4s some trucks some Range Rovers some Cars etc etc and have never seen any of them lording it around. It's just their choice of vehicle. It seems only non 4x4 drivers see them as a way of saying look at me me and look how much money I have.

as for parking and bad driving
You get a bee in your bonnet about 4x4's and you'll notice all the idiot 4x4 drivers and the rest will just get on with life.
This ^

Beanjuice - presumably you know that the cost of fuel is about 50p a litre, 5p (ish) goes to the filling station, the rest is tax.

So for my quite efficient car (40-50mpg, typically) I pay over £1000 a year, purely in fuel tax, and the vat on fuel.

I only fill up twice a month as well. I dread what people have to pay if they have to use their car to commute every day.

You can't expect motorists to pay to use the road on top of all that, unless there is a viable alternative - namely affordable, reliable public transport.

..and penslising people who have to drive in rush hour is just punishing people who need to get to work.

Cyclists and 4 X 4ers have a common characteristic on these threads sometimes i.e. they get lambasted as if they are all the same.

I don't really care who drives what, so long as they do it safely.

Having said that.. I ride my bike into and out of a busy city every day - 2 hours on the road, about 120 miles per week. 99.99reoccuring % of drivers are fine and understanding. The vast majority of hassles I have had have been from Chelsea/Sainsbo tractor drivers - cars that have never been off-road and one suspects they are the 'image brigade'. Unfortunatley, that 'image' I suspect is that they have a sense of entitlement and that includes not giving cyclists the time or room of day that we need. Those instances are v few and far between, but those tractors are massively over-represented ( in this survey ) than any other road user.

Yes. What else should the government control in your view?

It shouldn't the govt to control. It should be me. I will set up an independent agency quango, and if people want to own a 4 X 4 then they fill out a very complicated form, in triplicate, and send it to me. I look at it. Go on holibobs for a couple of weeks. Then come back, and ask a couple of supplementary questions.
Unless you can show you actually need such a car (outside of vanity/feelings of power) then the answer is "no."

I'm reasonable.
And there's no need to thank me.

I do think freedom of choice is important, as long as you respect the right of every citizen of the world to have that same freedom. Looking forward to the day when the population of China decide that they all need a thirsty car... not.

I think it's about deciding for yourself whether you actually need something.

@ Pan

I'm sure the news just asked drivers of 4x4's to come forward and help primary care workers get in to work. (Wasn't totally watching as on here!). Anyone else see that?

Yep. Our council always asks 4x4 drivers to help out in adverse weather conditions.

I spent a couple of hours yesterday driving a nurse around to her urgent appointments

Justified again today. Wish I'd had a big 4x4! DH's smaller 4wd couldn't get out today as too deep; didn't enjoy the walk.

To combine two threads, what if I said I used mine to pick up part of a barely used but secondhand living room set which has a lifetime warranty on the frame and cushions? We also used our pickup truck to buy a barely used immaculate (originally $4000 but now $400 and used a total of !!5!! times from someone who had downsized) three piece suite and deliver our 20 year sofa bed to a college student who was thrilled to be able to give it some more love. What if I told you that in our neighbourhood we often share vehicles, our neighbour had a well loved pickup that was loaned out to many neighbours when they needed to haul something, when that died we bought one which has already been loaned out to friends and neighbours.

right now im loving my 4x4. I also have smug face on.

How wonderful that your 4x4 is helpful for about 2 days a year and annoying to everyone else the other 363

DH is doing his bit for community tonight, he has gone out in the snow in his 4x4 to the local Indian takeaway to fix their deep fat fryer, you can't get more community spirited than that can you?

Binky

They can't be any worse than my Almera, £70 I used in petrol one week and road tax is £250 a year or £137 for 6 months!

I got a compact 4x4 which is a Ford Kuga, is superb in this snow.

It's not big, it uses about the same as a normal car, 32 mpg.

If what I've found is true that only the 163bhp 2 litre diesel is 4WD, then 32mpg is rubbish fuel economy.

Ignore that last post