Band 7+: Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that many cities in the world are now 'one big traffic jam' How true do you think this statement is? What measures can governments take to discourage people from using their cars?

In the past three decades, there has been a surge in car ownership, leading to global traffic congestion. This essay aims to explore my opinion regarding this matter and suggest measures the government can apply to encourage people to find alternatives for cars.

Personally, I wholeheartedly agree with the statement. The increasing variety of cars, coupled with affordable pricing nowadays have established cars as the predominant mode of transport for most people. On top of that, car loans offered by banks also ease the process of purchasing a car. Moreover, with the proliferation of population, more people are in the workforce, subsequently forming a society with higher buying power. Additionally, it is argued that the development of roads facilitates long distance travelling. For example, rural areas which are previously isolated can be connected to cities via highways, thus, people have the choice to drive to their destinations instead of taking the train.

To mitigate road congestion problems, it is imperative for the government to encourage the use of public transport. Reasonable fares and punctual public transport have the potential to attract citizens to utilise these services. Therefore, some portion of tax revenue can be directed to subsidise the cost of ticket prices while bonuses can be awarded to bus drivers who have a track record of being on time, as a means to promote punctuality among drivers. Furthermore, the government must urge the public to commute by foot or bike for shorter routes. Not only does it foster a healthier lifestyle, traffic jams can also be avoided. Another perk of walking home in crowds revolves around creating a safer environment in the neighbourhood, which in turn encourages more people to travel by foot.

In conclusion, there are many reasons that contribute to the increasing car ownership. However, the government can implement practical approaches to discourage people from driving to address the traffic congestion issues accompanying this trend. As the pursuing Socrates once said, “The only good is knowledge, the only evil is ignorance.”