Writing Academic Task 2 Band 9.0 Example

Raising the price of petrol is frequently proposed as a strategy to alleviate the escalating issues of traffic congestion and environmental pollution. While this approach has potential merits, it also presents certain drawbacks. On the positive side, increased fuel costs may dissuade individuals from engaging in unnecessary car travel, thereby leading to diminished traffic volume where alternatives are available.

A higher fuel price can give drivers a reason to reconsider optional journeys. Someone who can walk to a nearby shop may choose to do so when the cost of driving rises. However, the effect depends on whether the journey can be changed. A worker who has no reliable bus service may still need a car, so the policy can increase their expenses without reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

There is also a fairness issue. People on limited incomes may find the extra cost difficult to absorb, while wealthier drivers may continue making the same journeys. A uniform price change does not distinguish an unnecessary trip from a necessary one. Nor does it directly improve an unreliable transport service. This makes it an incomplete response even if it influences some decisions at the margin.

A more useful measure is to make shared transport a realistic choice. Reliable schedules, suitable routes and straightforward connections can reduce the practical disadvantages of taking a bus or train. Safe walking and cycling routes can help for shorter trips. The objective is not simply to tell people to drive less, but to provide a feasible way to reach the places they need to go.

Targeted measures can also address crowded locations and particular sources of pollution. Managing parking, coordinating deliveries and controlling access where congestion is severe may be more precise than changing the cost of every litre of fuel. Cleaner vehicles can address some emissions, but do not by themselves remove the space occupied by traffic. The two problems should therefore be considered together without assuming they are identical.

In conclusion, petrol prices can play a supporting role, but I would prioritise practical alternatives and measures directed at the actual problem. A price increase is least convincing where people have little ability to change how they travel.