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?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.

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 such a measure 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.

Nonetheless, such a solution has drawbacks. To begin with, this would impose a significant burden on automobile drivers. Taxes are already high for many people, and increasing them would only mean less money at the end of the month for most people who may be forced to drive daily. Additionally, this type of tax would almost certainly be fixed in amount. This would mean that those with less money would be hit harder, while the wealthy could probably afford it. As a result, it is not a fair tax.

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