WHILE I wholeheartedly agree that people should drive more economically, I am dead against J Wilson's solution to allow petrol prices to rise even further.
This is tantamount to legalising black marketeering!
There are no easy solutions but a step in the right direction would be for the car manufacturers to make slower cars.
In the 1950s and 1960s, few ordinary working men's cars were capable of 100 mph, which made for safer motoring. Their crossply tyres didn't lend themselves to high speed cornering so drivers were more careful. As a bonus, crossply tyres were more economical as less energy was absorbed on road contact.
If fuel is so precious, I would agree to rationing as opposed to free-for-all fuel rises if the poorer motorist would benefit. Of course the poorer motorist would have to have enough for work.
What has wasted much fuel was the trebling of unemployment in the 1990s when workers were forced to travel further to work.
Due to centralisation in 1980, I was suddenly going 25 miles to work, a round trip of 50 miles, compared to one mile!
Had I no car I couldn't have got to work!
Furthermore, free-for-all (the garages) fuel rises would be inflationary, and a situation would soon be reached when people wouldn't be able to afford to go to work!
The lesser of necessary evils is rationing by coupons not 'rationing' by price!
B Howarth
Alexandria Drive
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