Previous Campaigns
Croydon Car Free Day - Car Trouble
So what's wrong with cars?
In small numbers, it wouldn't be so bad. But in their millions, cars have become an increasing social menace, particularly in towns. The problems include:
Congestion
Our cities are chock-a-block with cars, causing delays and frustration. Building more roads encourages yet more car use, and is considered undesirable and impractical, especially in town. Reducing the number of journeys that people make is not easy either - people need to travel to work, school, shops etc. This means that the best option is to encourage more use of transport alternatives.
Pollution
The pollution from cars is bad for us and bad for the planet. As individuals, we may be affected by respiratory problems made worse by motor vehicle emissions. At a global level, cars contribute significantly to increased carbon dioxide levels and global warming, which is already destroying habitat across the planet.
In 2000 Croydon was legally obliged to declare itself an Air Quality Management Zone, because air quality in parts of the borough no longer meets expected standards. According to Croydon Health Authority estimates cited by the Council's Pollution In Croydon Annual Report 2001/2002, every year between 32 and 189 people in Croydon die prematurely because of air pollution.
Health issues
In addition to the serious health consequences of air pollution, increased car use has contributed to the growing problem of obesity in the population. This is particularly worrying problem in the case of children, most of whom are driven to school, losing the fitness benefits of travelling on foot or by bicycle.
Road deaths
Every year, cars kill thousands of people in the UK, and maim many more. Croydon has one of the worst records for child road deaths in London - in fact the record is arguably the worst in Europe.
Community severance
Social research has found that people living by busy roads are less likely to interact with their neighbours. Put simply, busy motor traffic and excessive noise pollution disrupts communities.
