We recently came across a clip from a 1966 demonstration by British motorists opposed to the new 70 mph (113 km/h) speed limit. A certain Graham Arnold railed against 'speed limits, parking restrictions and all the petty restrictions imposed on motorists'. Gosh, and we think that these things are also there to help motorists. Otherwise all roads would be stuck.
It now appears that speed limits on busy highways that are enforced with cameras have a positive effect on traffic flow and thus shorten your travel time. These days we have a new range of things that set our short fuses on fire. For example, many people are furious about a speed limit of 30 km/h in big cities, which is expected to shorten your waiting time at the red traffic light and have little effect on your travel time.
The image of EVs is affected by environmental zones
Environmental zones are also something like that. They punish the polluters, but if you… [in het VK – red.] If you switch to a car that is younger than eighteen years old, you avoid the levy. Sounds reasonable. “Petty restrictions,” also known as “driver bullying,” are now part of a broader culture war. Which now also includes EVs.
For example, here and there the resistance to environmental zones is lumped together with a mandatory period in which new cars must be emission-free. It does not help that the word 'emissions' appears in both measures.
The difference between EVs and environmental zones
To be clear: environmental zones involve harmful emissions, particles and NOx, which can cause cancer and asthma. Local, that is. 'Emission-free' is about reducing CO2emissions due to the climate crisis. Different things, then. Only those who feel connected to that culture struggle benefit from the confusion.
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