British survey reveals seniors most concerned about vehicle pollution
The UK’s Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Report on Motoring 2016 has found that drivers over 65 were the most in favour of taking stricter action against vehicle pollution. A majority 78 per cent of over-65s want action, compared with an average 64 per cent in other age groups.
The majority of survey participants, at 66 per cent, want stronger action taken to reduce vehicle pollution in poor air quality areas. Some 57 per cent wanted charges levied on diesel vehicles not complying with Euro 6 emissions standards when entering the inner city and larger township centres where air quality is worst.
Over half of participants surveyed, 55 per cent, support charges for the dirtiest vehicles entering most polluted areas and banning vehicles from entering those areas. Equally interesting is 60 per cent living in cities or towns support both courses of action.
RAC chief engineer David Bizley says attitudes are changing and solutions are being demanded across all age groups.
“Our research indicates motorists, who are often seen as the enemy when it comes to air quality, actually want to see more done to improve air quality…suggesting they want to be part of the solution themselves,” he said. “We need a considered and consistent approach to tackling the problem. Some of the incentives to encourage motorists to make the switch from older, less efficient vehicles are fading away,” Mr Bizley added.
The survey results also linked to the recent UK government’s High Court ruling against its lack of action taken to activate air quality improvements in its Clean Air Zones initative as part of an EU directive.
The RAC survey found 56 per cent of participants supported the UK government’s previous iteration of the air clean up plans which provided a framework for local authorities in the UK to build their own air improvement strategies.
The World Health Organisation has said that in built-up cities air pollution can be as carcinogenic as smoking.
