Car taxes should be raised...

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by GePap
Some European diesels get about 60 miles to the gallon as is.

A hybrid ususally runs about, what? 20% extra up front? Maybe over the life of a single owner, it might not make sense, but over the life of the vehicle?

Last study I saw said it would take something like 15 years to pay off the savings from today's hybrids. So maybe over the lifetime of the vehicle it comes out about even.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


Clearly the insurance companies are going to keep those taxes at levels that are at least sufficient to pay for the damages done by car accidents, or they'll go out of business.

Dan is talking about additional government taxes, not privately decided premiums.

[Kuciwalker]

They ultimately have the same effect.

[DanS]

Originally posted by notyoueither


You don't need to trust anyone. Look at major North American cities, if you can see them through the smog, and look at kids who develop lung defects.

That may make common sense, and we all have our suspicions, but it may not be so. A large cause of asthma among children in cities is now thought to be cockroach dandruff.

[notyoueither]

And actually, in Canada, the health care system nails the insuarance companies of people who cause accidents for the costs of looking after the victims.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by DanS


That may make common sense, and we all have our suspicions, but it may not be so. A large cause of asthma among children in cities is now thought to be cockroach dandruff.

[Kuciwalker]

Sounds just as plausible as pollution from cars.

[DanS]

I really think that accidents are becoming almost like a product defect. The car companies could make their products such that deaths and accidents would be reduced drastically or eliminated entirely.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Sounds just as plausible as pollution from cars.

Oh really? You think semi solid air is a good thing to breathe in for growing or ailing lungs?

[DanS]

Originally posted by notyoueither

I know. I had a good laugh too when I heard of the studies pointing to this possibility. Unfortunately, science doesn't have a sense of humor.

[notyoueither]

It does depending on who sponsored the study that says smog has nothing to do with it... it's THE COCKROACHES!

[DanS]

Originally posted by notyoueither
It does depending on who sponsored the study that says smog has nothing to do with it... it's THE COCKROACHES!

I don't think they ventured a conclusion on whether smog had anything to do with it or not.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Oh really? You think semi solid air is a good thing to breathe in for growing or ailing lungs?

I strongly doubt it's the leading cause of asthma. In fact one may very well be more likely to be asthmatic in its absense. There's a lot of evidence that asthma is in part due to a lack of challenges to the immune system in childhood. It's an autoimmune disorder.

[DanS]

I have my suspicions that smog could be a leading cause of breathing disorders. However, I don't know it to be so and can't quantify the cost on that score. You might be able to arrive at a partial cost for smog without the breathing disorders calculation. That might justify some action in itself.

[notyoueither]

Here's a start.

http://www.on.lung.ca/media/smogbg.html

How Does Smog Affect My Health?
Ozone is a powerful respiratory irritant. Typical short term symptoms of over-exposure include tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing, pain and breathing difficulty. It can also exacerbate asthma. While not thoroughly studied, there is valid concern for the long term effect of repeated exposures to high concentrations over time.

Health effects from particulate matter vary according to the nature of the particles, which can include vehicle exhaust, diesel soot, industrial emissions, agricultural emissions and emissions from residential burning of wood. Depending upon the size of the particle, it can penetrate deeply into the lungs. Repeated and long term exposure to elelvated concentrations of fine particulate matter has been linked to cardiac and respiratory disease.

High Risk Individuals
Health risk from pollution can vary widely among individuals, depending on the age and health status of the individual, the concentration of the pollutant(s), and the exertion level during exposure. Other factors such as temperature and humidity may add more stress to the body.
Those thought to be more at risk include:
the elderly
those with chronic heart or lung disease, including asthma
young children and adolescents, since their lungs and airways are still developing, and they tend to be more active outdoors
people who participate in long and vigorous outdoor exercise when air pollution levels are elevated, because they breathe more air and more deeply
outdoor workers, depending upon length of time and exertion levels.