Governments should tax private car owners heavily

In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and use the money to improve public transportation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution?

Model Solution to the IELTS Essay on Taxing Private Cars

Congestion is severe in many cities throughout the world. One solution to this problem is to impose high taxes on car drivers and use the proceeds to improve public transportation. This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of such a measure.

One of the first advantages of taxing car owners is that the high taxes would discourage car owners from driving because driving would become prohibitively expensive. This would imply that they would begin relying on public transportation instead, alleviating traffic congestion and pollution. Another advantage would be that if public transportation were improved, it would be used much more frequently. Often, public transportation in cities is deplorable. For instance, we frequently see abandoned buses and trains that no one wants to use. Increased taxes would generate sufficient revenue to implement the necessary changes.

While taxing car drivers might seem like a viable solution, it’s not without its downsides. Firstly, it puts a strain on everyday drivers who rely on their cars for work, errands, and daily needs. Already burdened by high taxes, they’d face tighter budgets, impacting their quality of life. Additionally, a flat tax structure unfairly penalises low-income individuals who wouldn’t have the same financial flexibility as wealthier drivers. This creates an inequitable situation where the burden falls disproportionately on those who can least afford it. In essence, this solution raises concerns about fairness and affordability.

To summarise, while this solution is worth considering to improve the current situation, there are both benefits and drawbacks to implementing such a policy.