Letters of the week, October 11
Your correspondence
Come off the naughty step
I’d like to think most people don’t give a damn about the VW issue (“No end to the affair”, Points, last week). Yes, someone’s been naughty. Has anyone died — will anyone die — as a result? The cars are well built and reliable.
Mikey George, Edinburgh
Unwelcome change
You say that owners of affected VW diesels can decide whether to go along with the proposed recall (“What you need to know about Britain’s biggest recall”, last week). However, if they comply, the resale value of their vehicle may suffer.
I suggest that vehicles that have not been modified will have a higher resale value than those that have. Any recalibration of the engine management system will hurt fuel consumption and probably performance.
Richard Ibrahim, Brent Knoll, Somerset
Emitting red mist
In January 2012 I took possession of a new Skoda Fabia Greenline, which I chose because of its reportedly low CO2 emissions. Now I am told my car is one affected by the skulduggery at VW and associated companies. My garage said it understood that I was “worried”. I am not worried; I am furious.
Nicky Weisfeld, via email
Down to brass tax
The VW fiasco just shows how ridiculous it is to tax vehicles on the basis of their (supposed) emissions. Tax the fuel, not the car — with an extra few pence per litre for diesel.
Paul Wood, Hastings
Diesel vehicle
In the film version of VW’s woes (“That’s entertainment”, Points, last week), will Emission: Impossible star Vin Diesel?
Mark Jackson, via email
Lethal complacency
By not caring about the “poo” from diesel exhausts, Jeremy Clarkson (“You did have one excuse not to buy a 3-series . . .”, last week) is leading the conga-line dancing on the graves of the 23,500 UK early deaths estimated by Defra to be due to NO2 pollution.
Jerry Lloyd, Brodsworth, South Yorkshire
True colours
Nicky Samengo-Turner is proud to admit that he doesn’t care either about VW’s widespread cheating or the emissions from his 5-litre diesel Touareg (“Tough talk”, Points, last week). He doesn’t seem sceptical about all this talk of lung disease and climate change, so I guess we have to take him at face value and accept that he’s just selfish.
Anthony Kleanthous, London
Him and his big mouth
When Samengo-Turner has friends or family members suffering from respiratory problems caused by the filth ejected from his car, I am sure millions of others will join me in hoping he chokes on his words.
Roger Blackman, Canterbury
On the make
Brian Norman takes a blinkered approach to John German’s vehicle choice (“Dirty past”, Points, last week). Yes, a more modern car might produce lower emissions than German’s 1997 Honda Accord, but to scrap a reliable, roadworthy car and replace it with an unnecessarily manufactured replacement has a far greater overall environmental cost. I can’t think why the car industry wouldn’t want you to know that.
Tom Cowie, Glastonbury, Somerset
Look on the light side
The Suzuki Jimny is all the things you said and more (“Driving tests SUVs for under £15,000”, last week). It is well balanced, sticks to sloping ice like glue and is economical to drive. It will go anywhere on or off road. Most 4x4s have become overgrown and too heavy. The Suzuki is all the things the 88in wheelbase series I Land Rover was — a godsend for the occasional off-roader.
Robert Hodgson, via email
In your face
I’m surprised that more readers have not complained about extreme headlight intensity (“Bedazzled”, Points, last week). Some are so bright and occasionally annoying that I refer to them as “Clarksons”.
Steve Ray, Corhampton, Hampshire
A bit dim
What class of road user often has no lights fitted? This autumn I have already encountered three unlit bicycles on country roads after dark, the riders not even wearing hi-viz jackets. Car drivers beware: dark evenings are here, so take the extra care cyclists do not.
Christopher Baker, Grasby, Lincolnshire
Lane campaign
It is outrageous that emergency vehicles should be forced to justify their use of bus lanes, yet taxis can freely use them and even stop in them (“Bolt from the blue”, Points, September 27). The Sunday Times should start a campaign to end this ridiculous anomaly.
Steve Morrisby, Pinner, London
Sign of madness
One Sunday morning we were faced with a matrix sign on the M25, the gist of which was “Caution: vehicle approaching at speed on wrong side of carriageway” (“Snort of derision”, Points, last week). How is one supposed to react to that? I noticed that everyone else lined up behind me and let me go first. Of course, there was no such vehicle.
Katharine Long, Sevenoaks, Kent
What a drag
Following the introduction of the new law banning smoking in cars, could you clarify a legal point for me, please. Can I still smoke while riding my motorbike if my pillion passenger is under 18?
Brian Newbold, Doncaster
High prices ahead
While displaying fuel prices on motorways will help drivers, it will have little effect on those who use the M4 between London and Bristol (“Fuel prices to be displayed on motorway signs”, News, September 20). BP enjoys a premium of around 10p-11p a litre at Heston, Reading, Chieveley, Membury and Leigh Delamere services. At Magor, the first non-BP area, the premium charged by Esso is 3p. Government trials are all very well, but what would be the purpose of displaying only the same high prices?
Rob Millar, Monmouth, Monmouthshire
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