Public attitudes
We believe there should be a concerted campaign to change public attitudes to cars (2.101).
We welcome the increased efforts of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) is making to increase environmental awareness among car drivers, for example, through liaison and partnership with motor manufacturers, motoring organisations and environmental groups (2.48).
- The Government's New Deal for Transport will provide more choice about when and how to travel, to support the objectives of reducing congestion and pollution. Individual and community choice will be supported by improving information and awareness of the impacts of different ways of travelling, to promote a climate where the effects of those choices (on the individual, on their environment and on others) are better understood.
- Government will continue to fund national publicity campaigns to raise awareness of how small changes in personal behaviour and lifestyle can make for a better environment. Fresh ways will be sought to highlight the link between individual consumption and the threat to global climate as well as to the quality of the local environment. Campaigns will aim to show that changes in travel behaviour which are good for the environment do not involve life-style sacrifices and will stress the personal benefits, including those for health, of using cars less. These messages tie in closely with health promotion initiatives such as the Health Education Authority's 'Active for Life' campaign which stresses the enormous health benefits of cycling and walking, amongst other activities.
- Recent examples include the widely distributed leaflet 'The Way to Go', used under the greener vehicles heading as part of the national environmental awareness campaign 'Are You Doing Your Bit?'. In addressing transport it aims to encourage individuals to improve the environment by leaving their car at home for at least some journeys, and by walking and cycling more and making more use of buses and trains. The campaign is reinforced by a 'Greener Vehicles' leaflet which stresses the importance of vehicle maintenance, fuel choice and driver behaviour in terms of emissions and car ownership costs. It also raises awareness of the impact of cars on the noise climate. The leaflet is being distributed very widely, and is being given out to all car owners renewing their road tax at Post Offices in the seven pilot areas with local authority powers to carry out roadside exhaust emission enforcement tests. The 'Greener Vehicle' campaign also provides a programme of free emission tests for drivers in the seven pilot areas, and some remedial works may be carried out on cars at no cost.
- Government has welcomed local initiatives including the local authority 'travel awareness' campaigns. Their main aim has been to increase recognition among local people that there is a need to reduce the environmental impacts of car use. The campaigns provide a climate in which specific measures aimed at achieving this, whether voluntary or through regulation or charging, are better understood. Government-funded campaigns at the national level give additional weight and added impetus to this type of action by local authorities.
- One aim of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force is to raise public awareness about the environmental impacts of motor vehicles, and to encourage the purchase of less polluting and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
We are concerned...that the authorities have had to curtail use of the [speed cameras] now installed because they do not have the resources to handle the resulting cases (2.48).
- The Government will combat the idea that many road traffic offences - speeding in particular - do not really matter. As part of its commitment to better enforcement, it wishes to see a more efficient use of cameras to reduce speed and accidents, save lives and improve the environment. The Government is looking at ways to improve the current arrangements for funding cameras, including enforcement, as part of its drive for greater efficiency and effectiveness in public services.
Published 23 December 1998
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