In Order To Solve Traffic Problems, Governments Should Tax Private Car Owners- IELTS Writing Task 2

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?

Outline

Essay Type

Advantages/Disadvantages essay

Introduction

Sentence 1&2 – Paraphrase the topic with the use of synonyms.

Sentence 3 – Elucidate that the essay will focus on various advantages and disadvantages of taxing private car owners to solve traffic problems.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Mention the advantages like people getting discouraged to buy new cars to avoid taxes, thus strengthening the public transport system and also talk about how lesser traffic makes road maintenance easier.

Paragraph 2 – Talk about various disadvantages like a drop in car sales can affect livelihoods and the economy, and, taxing the private car owners can also be perceived as a form of discrimination.

Conclusion

Summarise the previous paragraphs and restate your views.

Sample Essay

An argument to tax private car owners more has been gaining a voice in recent times. The purpose of it is to utilise that money towards managing the growing traffic problems. This essay will elucidate the advantages and disadvantages of it.

The foremost advantage is that taxing private car owners will promote the use of public transportation systems as people will be discouraged from purchasing a car in lieu of avoiding taxes. It will ensure lesser traffic, thus making the roads more manageable. Secondly, it will also ease the pressure on roads, hence, making maintenance, bridgework and new constructions easy and more effective. Moreover, people will be encouraged to accept carpooling as a part of their daily life, which will help reduce pollution and excessive use of natural resources like petrol and diesel.

The disadvantages remain adamant against the benefits, as automobile purchases account for a sizable chunk of any economy. Hence, a disruption in that graph could adversely affect jobs and livelihoods. Also, more tax will refrain people from buying personal cars that might create a problem in case of emergencies when people will become more dependent on public transport and they are not available. Besides, taxing private car owners can be argued against as a form of discrimination, too, as only a select few will be taxed.

To summarise, many countries are actively looking for a viable solution to their traffic problems. Taxing private car owners is emerging as a solution, with the aim of promoting public transportation. But, it has negative effects on car purchases and also might lead to discrimination. Therefore, it is a matter of concern for all countries and they need to act on this issue swiftly.

Band 9 Sample Essay

The development in the world has given many gifts but not without their bane. Due to the boom in the automobile industry, there is a significant rise in traffic congestion on the road, which is one of the pressing problems. The government can solve this issue by levying a heavier tax on private vehicle owners and reinvesting proceeds to upgrade the public transit system. Thus, imposing high taxes will have certain advantages, but it will also have disadvantages.

The imposition of a hefty tax on respective car owners will prove to be favorable in various ways. To begin with, taxation will dissuade many individuals from buying their cars, resulting in a decrease in the number of private cars on the road and a reduction in traffic congestion. If private automobiles are heavily taxed, public transportation, such as buses and trains, will become more popular, resulting in fewer vehicles on the road and greater air quality. Simultaneously, people will be encouraged to use the carpooling system, which will help to reduce pollution and the overuse of fuel and gasoline.

However, the drawbacks of this solution appear to overshadow the positives because automotive purchases account for a significant share of any economy. Thus, the implementation of taxes will have a negative impact on human employment and livelihood, as the financial burden on car owners would be increased. Furthermore, higher taxes will deter individuals from purchasing private vehicles, which could be an issue in the event of an emergency when public transportation is unavailable. Besides, people who are in not good financial position but require a car to commute to work will also be affected since they will be obliged to offer their automobiles and lose their employment if they cannot afford the levy.

To sum up, traffic congestion has reached alarming levels, and levying a tax on private automobile owners as a means of encouraging people to use public transportation has become a plausible option. However, it has a negative impact on car sales and may lead to prejudice. Therefore, the idea of levying a high automobile tax rate on private car owners to alleviate traffic congestion has both pros and cons which can’t be overlooked.

Vocabulary 

• “Gaining voice” 

Meaning – Gaining momentum, becoming prominent.
Example – The movement against racial discrimination in the USA is gaining voice in recent times.

• Utilise 

Meaning – make practical and effective use of.
Example – Our blood utilises white-blood cells to protect the body against foreign bacteria.

• Foremost 

Meaning – most prominent in rank, importance, or position.
Example – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche is considered among the foremost philosophers of his time.

• “In lieu of” 

Meaning – in place of something.
Example – The company often provides incentives in lieu of better performances.

• Adamant

Meaning – refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind.
Example – Even after the poor economic performance of the company, its CEO is adamant to resign.

• Sizable 

Meaning – fairly large.
Example – In the Indian state of Gujarat, a sizable amount of farmers are associated with milk production.

• Adversely 

Meaning –  harmfully or unfavorably.
Example – Too much screen-time adversely affects our eyes.

• Livelihoods  

Meaning – a means of securing the necessities of life.
Example – The protests are still ongoing because so many livelihoods depend on this factory.

• Discrimation 

Meaning – the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things.
Example – India has greatly suffered from discrimation against the backward classes.

• Viable 

Meaning – capable of working successfully; feasible.
Example – The countries need to come together to form a viable plan to battle climate change.