How far away are we from legislation forbidding the use of cars?

[10ClarionSt]

I think that eventually, we will be prohibited from using or owning a motor vehicle, unless you can prove that it is vital for you. The introduction of restrictions will be the first step, i.e. congestion charging, then you will not be allowed into built up areas. More roads will have obstructions built on them. People will be FORCED into using public transport. If you want to own a vehicle, you will have to justify it to a panel along the lines of a medical committee where you outline everything you can or cannot do. Drivers, this is the future!

[jenstar]

Sounds like a good plan. What a shame the only place it exists is in your paranoid little mind.

[whiffey]

I absolutely agree with you. Cars are a polluting waste of space, and progress is impossible anyway because of the infestation of BUSES proudly proclaiming on the back that they are limited to 28mph. What sodding use is that ? If an armed raider got on and demanded "take me to Milton Keynes and quick about it" what use would it be for the driver to say "sorry chummy I am limited to 28mph, see the sign in the back ?"

[ludwig]

The last thing the government wants is to stop people driving. There's no money to be made out of people not driving.
What it wants is for you to carry on using your car, but keep paying all the various tax and charges associated with it.
Coming next on top of road tax, fuel tax, speed tax, and congestion charges, - look out for pay by the mile motorways.

[youngmafbog]

Very right ludwig.
What Government is going to risk political suicide and introduce that when they can appease the car hating tree huggers with huge taxes. For Governments this 'green' thing is Xmas come early and every day!
On the subject of cars lets not forget there are two camps of car haters. Firstly we have the poluting camp who do have a point and secondly we have the car haters, generally jelous lazy b***ds who scrounge off the state so having time on their hands to protest at every road building plan whilst the rest of us mugs work and pay taxes to enable them to to protest against our mode of transport to get to work to pay the tax to pay their dole. You will see these people more clearly when cars are no longer poluting - and it will happen, eventually.

[Loosehead]

I don't think there'll be legislation but there'll be more taxation. The problem is that motoring is too cheap, if the masses can afford a ton of steel to transport 1 person and 3 empty seats everywhere then it's too cheap. The governement will eventually realise and hike up the price. how does �100 a gallon grab you?

[Leilapups]

Prior to the invention of cars, those who could afford to travelled by horse/carriage, which became fairly redundant when cars came along. Until there is a viable alternative cars will continue as there is no realistic choice. Imagine the economic and civil disater there would be if most people could not travel to work.
I think you are worring some what prematurely which is your choice

[Toureman]

If every motorist in the UK did not drive their vehicles at the same time on one day of the year the country would be bankrupt from loss of petrol tax.

So to answer your question, never, as in the past, new modes of personal transport will be used but probably still called cars.

[anotheoldgit]

Since the average motor car is used mainly for short distances i.e. commuting to local places of work, taking the kids to and from school, and going to the supermarket, most vehicles could be battery powered.

Even local taxis could be battery powered. To use a Petrol or Diesel powered vehicle one would be required to aquire special documentation. To travel longer distances one could use public transport, which of course would have to be made affordable, efficient and reliable.

[jno]

during rush hour, about one car in five is on the school run. So just providing school buses would drastically clear the roads. Or whatever happened to walking, which is how I used to get to school?