The government believes it is on to something with its message about a so-called ‘war on motorists’. They know that we are dependent on driving. For decades every other system of transport has been relegated, not because cars are superior, but because we have designed a world that makes them seem so, wilfully disregarding the fact that cars kill through air pollution and collisions - 5,000 and 1,700 premature deaths annually, respectively, plus 30,000 serious injuries.
But deep down, like smoking, we know that the reality is breathing micro-particulate and gaseous pollution, overloaded trunk roads, and endless traffic rammed into ancient towns and cities ripped apart to accommodate the car and its semi-unaccountable consequences of disease, injury, death, noise and stress. So, it’s easy to be drawn in by Mr Sunak‘s enthusiasm.