To think that people that drive diesel cars know that they're killing children

[dieselKiller]

Diesel cars are destroying our towns and villages. The health effects on kids are particularly bad. People must know this by now. So AIBU to think that people who drive diesel cars know that they're killing kids (and everyone really)?

It's like smoking: it's not possible to smoke in public without affecting others' health. This seems to have been accepted by most people. What makes diesel different?

I bought my diesel car when the government was encouraging people to purchase them. At the time, my road tax was super cheap because of it. The car dealers were also encouraging it. I hate the fact that I drive a diesel car, yes I do have to drive it in the town/city as well as on A roads and motorways. However, I will have to keep this car for the foreseeable future unless you are able to send me several thousand pounds OP. Lots like me are trapped with these cars.

I'm driving a child killing diesel, unless someone is going to magic me up a new green car then I will continue to drive it. When I bought it there wasn't any information about how bad the effects are. I can't afford to replace it so I shall keep it until it dies.

Not every one can afford to go out and replace their cars, a new car costs £10,000+ (if you want something green).

We are clearly a houseful of killers then

On a serious note, we have two diesel cars. One has zero road tax and one has £30 road tax. The general perception is that low road tax = more environmentally friendly/ greener as lower CO2 emissions.
We looked at buying electric/hybrid cars but they were approx £10k more expensive for the equivalent car. We thought that getting low road tax cars was a win win.

I have a diesel but I also drive over 40,000 miles a year primarly on motorways. I do very little city driving as I prefer to get the train and when I can I cycle.

So when car manufacturers design a car which can comfortably do a 300 mile round trip without needing to plug it in at my destination (as very few places I visit have charging stations!) Then I'll buy an electric, until then I guess I'll have to continue "killing children"

It's like smoking: it's not possible to smoke in public without affecting others' health. This seems to have been accepted by most people.

And how many years did that acceptance take? The stats on diesel have only really been coming out in the last couple of years. It took decades to change people's attitudes to smoking after the first studies demonstrated links to cancer.

I have a diesel and got it because it gives me more miles to the gallon and at the time they were thought to be better than petrol. So yeah, actually, YABU and very judgy! I'm off to kill more children now.

Good for you cutes!

We have a diesel car and I can assure you that we have not personally killed anyone, child or otherwise.
Stop with your nonsense, it's totally ridiculous.

Regarding the "goadiness" of my post: it seems obvious to me that there is a link between diesel pollution and health and that poor air quality is literally killing people. The most vulnerable amongst us (children, the elderly) are most affected. My question was whether I was being unreasonable to think that people that buy and drive diesel cars should also be aware of the connection between health and diesel pollution to the extent that children are dying. It's hard to ask the question "do diesel drivers know children are dying from diesel pollution" without using those words. I was trying to be precise, not goady.

Still waiting for a suggestion as to what to do with my child killing car.

It's hard to ask the question "do diesel drivers know children are dying from diesel pollution" without using those words.

You managed not to use that phrasing in your thread title and first post so it's clearly not that hard. You chose more Goady phrasing instead.

So, why join MN for this?

Most people were lied to about Diesel. I refused to buy one as in my judgement they were too polluting, but that isn't what the Government was telling people. Lorries and Buses are a huge problem, as are Cargo boats.
Just stigmatising people for having the wrong car doesn't help anyone.

I've got a diesel - i got it at the time when it was being touted as a greener alternative.

We now know better. I know it is super harmful pollution wise however I am not going to scrap it until there is some kind of financial incentive to do so.

So yeah, actually, YABU and very judgy! I'm off to kill more children now.

@Cutesbabasmummy I do understand that many people were given the wrong information about diesel cars, so it isn't their fault, and many people aren't in a position to change cars, or give them up altogether yet - but honestly, bearing in mind that the "killing children" bit - however emotive a phrase it was for the OP to use - isn't actually wrong, your post is in really poor taste.

Lots and lots of children in cities are growing up with permanently poorly-developed lungs because of the toxic levels of pollution, which leads to lifelong health issues and a shorter lifespan. This isn't a distant hypothetical - it;s happening now. If that isn't enough to bet "judgy" about, what is?

It's hard to ask the question "do diesel drivers know children are dying from diesel pollution" without using those words. I was trying to be precise, not goady.

OK, if we're being precise, why did you precisely choose to make this about CHILDREN and not PEOPLE? Are children more valuable or more important than people of other age?

ArcheryAnnie I understand what you are saying and agree. But the OP is basically saying if we drive diesel cars then we are killing children....extreme much??? just as the zero waste lifestyle is extreme.

I am far from zero waste, but I do what I can and am a firm believer in every little helps. and most people will not go out of their way to intentionally harm children, adults, animals, the planet. Most will try and minimise the effect they have on the world, which is why so many people bought diesel vehicles when the gov told them they were better. I don't think its fair to attack people who have been told this about diesel, only for the gov to change its mind a few years later.

Lots and lots of children in cities are growing up with permanently poorly-developed lungs because of the toxic levels of pollution

That may well be true, Archery, but the OP says she was trying to be precise. What you said above IS precise. The OP's "Diesel cars are destroying our towns and villages" is about as imprecise as you could get on this subject!

We have a diesel car and I can assure you that we have not personally killed anyone, child or otherwise.

@maddiemookins16mum as awful as it sounds, and as emotive the language used by the OP was, sadly, she's not wrong.

If you don't believe me, here's the Lancet on this: www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(17)30396-X/abstract

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So ArcheryAnnie and the OP, you both keep posting about how bad diesels are but there is still no suggestion what people who own one are meant to do about it.

@NotBadConsidering Great question. Maybe other people on this thread have some suggestions, but perhaps you could write to the manufacturer and seller explaining that you bought the car thinking that it was environmentally friendly. Complain that it isn't. Ask for a refund. Send copies of your letter to ASA, your MP, professional standards bodies, consumer standards bodies, public health experts, lawyers, other people you know that own diesels. Etc.

Yes - it was one of the main reasons I got it

I am well aware of the health effects of a Diesel car. However although they are bad for people they are actually more environmentally friendly.

I will continue to drive one because they are better for the planet.

Ten thousand people a year die in London alone from air pollution.

Really?

Are children more valuable or more important than people of other age?

Forgive me for butting in, ShatnersWig, but children have a very specific response to pollution, because their lungs are still growing. I am no biologist, but what I understand from what I've read is that children's lungs just never develop properly in these cu=ircumstances, which leads to lifelong problems, and a shortened lifespan. Adults with fully-developed lungs still have problems, of course, but at least they have fully-developed lungs to have problems in.

Lots of very proudly defensive pps on this thread!