Sir, – The letter (August 4th) regarding the cost of motor insurance for older cars highlights important issues regarding our approach to the climate emergency.
Worldwide, there are approximately, on average, 250,000 motor cars manufactured per day, amounting to a very significant contribution to carbon dioxide emissions! There is obviously a huge incentive for the motor manufacturers to maintain and expand markets for these vehicles. One way that this is done is by the manufacturers, either directly or indirectly, striving to ensure that cars are scrapped as early as possible in their useful lives to make way for new replacements. This aim is contrary to the policy of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”.
If passing the NCT test is to have any practical impact it should be recognised by all, including governments and insurance companies, that the passing of such a test indicates that the vehicle is roadworthy. There is no logical reason why insurance companies should be allowed to discriminate between older or newer vehicles, thereby pushing perfectly serviceable cars towards the scrapheap. Simply put, no insurance should be available for a vehicle that has not passed the NCT and no regard should be had to the age of a vehicle so long as it has passed the NCT.
Massive emissions of carbon dioxide are produced by the manufacture of each motor car and any sensible approach to addressing the climate emergency should obviously include efforts to reduce the numbers of cars manufactured, some would say drastically.
For the Government to permit insurance companies to discriminate in favour of newer cars, where the obtaining of insurance cover is compulsory, is in direct conflict with common sense and our climate change responsibilities.
People should be encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle and the behaviour of the insurance companies, with apparent Government blessing, comes close to making this impossible as regards motor cars. – Yours, etc,
PAUL O’SHEA,
Shankill,
Dublin 18.