Some suggest that the optimal way of tackling unrelenting traffic and pollution issues is higher gas prices. Although this measure can curb these issues to some extent, I do not agree that it is the most effective one. Instead, less controversial options such as raising public awareness and popularizing less polluting modes of transportation should be explored.
Contrary to the popular belief, raising petrol price is not a panacea to traffic-related problems. This is because this measure has a considerable economic cost to both individual consumers and government. Expensive petrol prices create a financial burden for commuters, escalating their daily commute fee, as well as drivers whose livelihood is directly correlated to gas prices. As such, this development would most likely drive many people into financial predicament, causing public disapproval and outrage. This was clearly the case when gas prices ballooned in the US due to the country’s new energy policies. Government is at a disadvantage too from this change. The ensuing fall in demand in the transportation sector would hamper the economy, creating unemployment and economic setbacks. In other words, this measure would set nations on the path to financial hardships and economic decline at a minimal advantage to the environment.
Rather than up the price of petrol and create a whole new range of problems, I recommend that nations consider other viable ways of addressing issues pertaining to traffic. One such measure would be educating the public on the implications of growing transportation use. To accomplish this, people should be shown social media posts and videos – the most frequently visited content online – depicting the environmental issues occurring as a result of vehicle emissions, such as air pollution and global warming. They should also be informed on ways in which traffic problems like gridlocks and road rage can stunt their productivity and quality of life. Having been alerted to these problems, people feel naturally compelled to cut down on their transport use. Hailed as the future of transportation, electric vehicles can also play a part in the fight against traffic issues. Running on electricity, this type of vehicles can help ease our dependence on fossil fuel, alleviating pollution and global warming. Besides, because the new generation of electric cars will be self-steering, fewer traffic problems caused by human error can be expected.
In conclusion, increasing the price of petrol might seem the way to go to solve traffic problems and pollution at a glance, but this solution has hidden economic costs, which are too consequential to be dismissed. The more practical measures would be raising public awareness on traffic-induced problems and accelerating the shift to electric vehicles.