Off-topic post: Gas guzzlers
I've just been listening to David Cameron on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, taliing about environmental issues - and after much discussion about the implications of cheap air fares, he inevitably mentioned gas guzzling vehicles.
I'm the proud owner of an elderly Land Rover, which is used solely on those occasions when I need a 4x4. I live in the country, and it doesn't go into the supermarket; the kids walk to school; and as a result I do only a couple of thousand miles a year in it. However, I fully support the need to clamp down on the fuel consumption of these vehicles. And I'd like to reiterate the simplest, most equitable and effective way to do it without penalising those drivers who use 4x4s in a responsible way.
A full-blown 4x4 (I'm not talking about saloons that happen to have 4x4 drive) is a very different vehicle from a normal car. It is heavy; prone to rolling if turned violently; has a longer braking distance; can break your thumbs if you hold the wheel incorrectly; has an extra set of controls for the transfer box; and can be incredibly dangerous if the driver does not understand these issues. So, why can just anyone jump behind the wheel and tear off in one?
The solution is simple: create a new classification on the driving license for large 4x4 vehicles. Obtaining that classification should require the driver to pass a separate test, comprising a theory test about off-roading, coupled with a 1/2 day practical course at an approved off-road centre. The driver should demonstrate a practical ability to handle the vehicle in a variety of terrains; to recover their vehicle and others; to understand proper use of off-road accessories such as winches and recovery ropes; and to translate this knowledge into safe road handling.
Any driver with a legitimate need for a 4x4 can only benefit from this knowledge, and enthusiasts would welcome the opportunity. But Guildford housewives are highly unlikely to want to scuff their Guccis and break their nails in the name of driving a Chelsea Tractor, and this would quickly suppress the market and move them into safer, more economical vehicles without penalising other drivers.
Problem solved.
8:51:58 AM 
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