Environmental degradation by road traffic

Environmental degradation by automobiles
Environmental hazards from road motor vehicles

Nature

Some of the obvious societal and health problems created by the car are air pollution, noise, danger, ill-health, congestion, parking problems and that of being an eyesore. Cars are not practical means of transport for short trips inside a town and it is on these trips that they do their greatest damage. In addition, cars and their parts have considerable economic value. Many are stolen and abandoned later as wrecks. Cars are also representative of affluence and as such are targets for the alienated actions of juveniles. Deliberately vandalized, and in some cases, burned, automobiles are abandoned in the streets by their owners.

In addition to the morbidity and mortality it causes through air pollution, road traffic leads to noise stress, loss of quality of life, water pollution, etc. Various economic evaluations show that the costs of its overall impact are far greater than the additional taxes paid by road transport (through fuel tax, registration, etc.). In other words, road traffic does not pay for the social costs it generates, which is tantamount to its being subsidized. This favours a pattern of transport development, and especially that of road transport, which is accompanied by excessive impacts on the environment and health.

Background

Transport infrastructures, heavy metals from vehicle exhaust and de-icing substances, vehicle waste (e.g. old cars, tires, batteries), fuel spillages, as well as tire and road abrasion, can cause contamination of soil and groundwater, which may affect the quality of drinking-water and of agricultural products.

Incidence

Environmental degradation caused by road traffic is a pervasive issue affecting urban and rural areas worldwide. The expansion of road networks and the surge in vehicle numbers have led to significant air and noise pollution, habitat fragmentation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Major cities across continents, from New Delhi to Los Angeles, regularly exceed safe air quality thresholds due to vehicular emissions, while sensitive ecosystems are disrupted by road construction and traffic-related runoff.
In 2023, Jakarta, Indonesia, experienced severe air pollution episodes attributed largely to road traffic congestion. The city’s air quality index frequently reached hazardous levels, prompting public health warnings and government interventions.

Claim

Environmental degradation caused by road traffic is an urgent crisis that cannot be ignored. Exhaust fumes poison our air, noise pollution disrupts communities, and relentless road construction destroys natural habitats. The unchecked growth of vehicles is accelerating climate change and endangering public health. If we fail to address this problem now, we risk irreversible damage to our planet and future generations. Immediate action to reduce road traffic’s environmental impact is absolutely essential.

Counter-claim

Concerns about environmental degradation from road traffic are grossly exaggerated. Modern vehicles are cleaner and more efficient than ever, and technological advances continue to reduce emissions. The focus on road traffic distracts from far more pressing environmental issues. Roads are essential for economic growth and daily life, and the supposed environmental impact is minimal compared to the benefits. Worrying about road traffic’s environmental effects is simply not a significant or urgent problem.