Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has suggested that drivers would charged through satellite tracking devices fixed to cars.

Tolls would be higher for rush-hour traffic such as commuters, motorway users and school run parents as well as on busier routes.

In return, the overall tax burden for motorists would be reduced.

Should road charging be extended? If you're either a school run parent or regular motorway driver would it encourage you to use other means of transport?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

Congestion charging is all very well Nenette Scrivener, UK

I have just spent a morning sitting on the M1 half a mile away from the huge accident that occurred in Leicestershire as I was driving to work. Being so close to this kind of incident really makes you stop and think about what the alternatives to motor travel are. And at the moment, for the journey that I do each day from a village in south Leicestershire to Milton Keynes, there is no real, viable alternative. Congestion charging is all very well, and I can see the benefits, but wouldn't it also be of significant benefit to the country if we could take the heavy freight - such as the army tanks that were on the back of the lorries involved in this pile-up - onto the railway system? This would free up a great deal of capacity on our overloaded roads and make the motorway and other road systems far safer.
Nenette Scrivener, UK

Of course not all cars will be subject to the congestion charge. So to avoid it simply become a politician as I suspect they may not have to pay....
Mark, UK

Let's see if I have got this right. I have chosen to send my children to a school about three miles from where I live. Why? Because it's regarded as the best in the area, so my wife has to take them to school in the car. This is because there is no public transport that goes in that direction. So by thinking about my children's education and trying to do the best for them I'm to be penalised - there's a vote winner. Public transport when you can find it is dirty, unreliable, overcrowded and expensive. Give us a decent system and we might use it. By the way I use a motorbike to go to work which is cheap and efficient. I see a lot of congestion but don't seem to ever get stuck in it.
Garry Smith, UK

I don't drive and hate cars but I think this is a crazy idea. The reason there is a rush hour is because people have to travel at that time and public transport just isn't good enough to compete. The solution is to first improve bus services by re-regulating them and forcing down prices. Then, gradually remove city centre parking or make it so expensive only rich fools can afford it.
Tom, UK

I'd take the train in a second if it didn't cost twice my car journey Mark, UK

Rather than a congestion charge, this sounds more like a simple tax on travel. It will force people to be less mobile and restrict them to only working near their homes. So much for Britain's competitive advantage from having a flexible labour market! To tackle motorway congestion get rid slow moving vehicles. Overtaking lorries and 40mph cranes cause most of the problems that I see. The rest are due to accidents - let's see the police clamp down on dangerous driving. I'd take the train in a second if it didn't cost twice my car journey. Let's remove the profit motive from the railways and replace it with a service motive!
Mark, UK

Tax on the cost of the car, tax on the fuel to run the car, tax on the roads before you put your car on them, and now tax on the use of your over-taxed car. Did I miss something or was it a different Labour Party who spent eighteen years screaming about too much taxation and how things would change come the Revolution. Well the Revolution came, but was taxed into extinction.. Come back George Orwell, all is forgiven!
Ian, Brit abroad

It shouldn't be extended until public transport becomes a viable alternative. London has the tube system, the buses and a decent cab network. Other cities aren't so fortunate. I think that the "school run" situation should be addressed though. Driving to work during the school holidays is an absolute pleasure because there is hardly any traffic.
Gavin, Wales

Drivers already spend �25bn a year, and transport, roads AND rail only get �10bn/year government investment. We have the smallest length of roads in Europe. But to be honest I'm more concerned about the government knowing exactly were I am. Face recognition, number plate readers, and now satellites tracking me down? Where the nearest plane off this rock!
Paul Weaver, UK

From an environmental viewpoint, taxing fuel is better than taxing road usage via a 'congestion charge', because heavier fuel users will pay more per mile. Under congestion charging, you pay the same whether you drive a small car or a gas guzzling SUV. Is that really what the government wants? Congestion does at least have the advantage that it affects rich and poor equally and people may think twice about unnecessary journeys if they are going to be stuck! Most parents would think that some congestion on the school run is not as bad as the risk of letting them be abducted or run over, no matter how small that risk may actually be.
Jon Cooper, uk

The school run definitely needs attention, thousands of people take their kids by car when they could walk, and this is just lazy and irresponsible. However, I am not convinced that taxation is the correct way?
Neil B, UK

We'll see even more 50mph signs flashing on the motorways for no reason! Damon, UK

Hmm, once they've got the satellite kit in your car the fun will start! The insurance company will know how fast you were going, how many miles you drive and a whole lot more! If they can bill you for driving down the road I'm sure they'll be able to bill you for going over the speed limits too. We'll see even more 50mph signs flashing on the motorways for no reason!
Damon, UK

So let me get this straight, the railways are in a shameful state and totally overpriced for the service they (don't) provide, so I turn to my car. Guess what? I am being charged yet another penalty to use that too. I might fly to work tomorrow.
Anon,

Yes, extend congestion charging. Sooner or later people have got to start making the link between congestion and their own behaviour. I used to commute 135 miles round trip by car - madness! Now I cycle eight miles each way and actually enjoy the journey.
Guy Chapman, UK

So does this mean that we will have a choice between paying more to drive our children to school (when we already pay road tax and there isn't adequate public transport) or paying fines and going to jail for not ensuring personally that they get there and don't play the truant?
Jess, UK

Yet another socially exclusive policy idea! The roads are busy - so let's stop the least well off from using them. Congestion is the only fair and just way of "rationing" road use - people will only sit in congested roads if they really need to, not on an idle whim. Sadly, it seems more and more that politicians seem to want to return to the 1950's, when the roads were clearer simply because only the well heeled could afford to drive.
Ron Levy, UK

DK from the USA said: Why not just change the school hours? Don't be daft, you can solve a problem by applying a logical solution - We're British, if it's not overcomplicated, ill-conceived and generally unworkable, we're not even going to consider it!
Tim Nicholson, UK

Why not just change the school hours?
DK, US

Who will pay? Kate Hiorns, UK

Are the government proposing to fit satellite tracking devices to all cars? Who will pay? As it will be the motorist, how can this possibly reduce the cost to them?
Kate Hiorns, UK

"The overall tax burden for motorists would be reduced." You guys crack me up! Who's going to believe that?
Ray Gray, UK

Government policy as it stands stops a good few thousand kids from walking to the local school of the parents' choosing, sending them miles away. Typical Labour to then try to tax people out of their car yet again. Hopefully drivers will remember this next election.
Flynn, England

This is ludicrous. Especially to teaching staff and support staff who drive to work everyday will be charged on what is already a small salary. Maybe a "carpool" idea similar to the US Freeways would be better than charging.
Tim, UK

With public transport actually getting worse, to be raising the issue now just goes to show how disorganised the government are in getting viable long term solutions to long term problems.
Matt, UK

I used to commute by bus - jam packed full they were - and it took 45 mins to do four miles in the 'rush hour' and 30 mins at other times.
Simon, UK

A road charge of five pounds per day would hit me David Price, UK

No. This will simply be yet another tax designed to benefit the rich. The tax will be flat rate applicable to all. A road charge of five pounds per day would hit me, would it bother the rich like Blair - I don't think so.
David Price, UK

No, no a thousand times no. Decisions will be made at London. And Londoners are famous for moaning about London Transport. However, London Transport does exist as a viable alternative to the car. This is simply not the case anywhere else in the UK.
Andy C, UK

Andy C, UK: Ha ha. London public transport is a viable alternative? Yes, very funny. Have you ever tried commuting from Richmond to Docklands? A journey of just a few miles across town takes 2 hours. That's 4 hours of standing on an overland train in fear for my life, holding onto air, and standing on tubes gasping for air, in even more fear of my life.
Karen, UK

How about offering tax incentives for car sharing?
Andy, UK

This is really a no-brainer. If drivers are charged for driving their cars then drivers will pay. There is no alternative for so many people who find themselves without cost effective, reliable public transport. Perhaps Mr Darling should look to providing an alternative to the car rather than treating the motoring public as a cash cow.
Jan, UK

Why can't we also introduce American style school buses, that collect and drop off? Although the initial outlay would be high, it would reduce road congestion and children would be safer by not having to walk in the dark.
helen, uk

We should do everything we can to make travel more environmentally friendly: put the costs up dramatically, charge for car parking, abolish Road Tax on non-polluting cars, have toll roads with higher tolls at certain times of day and remove company car subsidies. Also we should encourage school children to walk and cycle, have more school buses and company buses to get people moved around in rush hours, encourage car pooling, etc. We cannot go on destroying the world.
Robert Steadman, U.K.

Has anyone considered that the public appear to be quite happy putting up with congestion? Richard, Leeds, UK

The company that provide these satellite devices - have they made any donations to the Labour Party recently? Who will pay for these devices? Has anyone considered that the public appear to be quite happy putting up with congestion, so what is the exact reason for politicians meddling? - unless it is to squeeze us for yet more tax. If you want to reduce congestion then regulate car ownership - one per house.
Richard, Leeds, UK

Rail cuts and a farcical bus "system" on one hand, and road pricing on another? One could be forgiven for thinking it's just another money-making scheme and nothing to do with environmental benefits at all...
Neil Williams, UK

No, no and NO! As a non-driver, I would suggest that the do nothing approach is best. Drivers will ditch the car when it becomes intolerable to get to work or do the school run every day. (Maybe two and a half hours each way?) Why not let natural forces decide? Let cars to the talking - people and businesses will disband the already crowded (popular) cities as pollution and congestion become intolerable. For us city dwellers, we can have piece and quiet again.
Geoff, UK

Variable costs are good - the more you use, the more you pay, but you can bet the congestion charges won't be instead of the 'fixed cost' Road Tax.
Simon, UK

I would be delighted to leave my car at home and travel to work by train or bus, if only the public transport infrastructure existed to get me there! I wouldn't mind paying a congestion charge if I thought the money would go towards providing a viable alternative to using my car within a few years, but this sort of vision seems to be beyond our government.
Suzanne, UK

The main problem is still the people who for various reasons insist on their right to drive big cars over long distances to work Phil, England

By all means, charge the "school-run" people off the road, but apart from them the main problem is still the people who for various reasons insist on their right to drive big cars over long distances to work, usually with themselves as the only occupant. To solve that problem, work from home, move closer to your job (I did - and regularly grin at the standstill on the M25 from the vantage point of my pushbike), or get another job.
Phil, England

I see protests along the lines of the fuel duty protests if this idiot idea goes any further
Dave, UK

My child walks to school, but why do all these selfish people think I have any less right to drive her there than they have to drive to work? The school run would be so much quicker if they'd all walk to the bus stop.
Graham, UK

Who is going to pay for the satellite infrastructure needed for the proposed tracking measures? Si, Wiltshire, UK

I have no problem with paying as I go, but I suspect my idea of charging per mile will be vastly different to the Government's. Also, who is going to pay for the satellite infrastructure needed for the proposed tracking measures? On top of that, if Alistair Darling is really serious about implementing this scheme then the Treasury needs to start phasing in the abolition of fuel tax and car tax now, long before the proposed scheme starts.
Si, Wiltshire, UK

With the same logic then pedestrians should also be charged in city-centres....
Q Aeyt, UK

I presume this is to clear the roads for all the extra Post Office lorries that will be using them now the PO is changing from rail to road!
Simon Mallett, UK

For even the slightest chance of this working, motorists need to be offered a sound, efficient alternative, not just a bigger bill at the end of the month. If public transport can't cope now, how will it cope under the strain of all these motorists, who will apparently leave their cars behind?
Andy, UK

Every time a question like this comes up there are comments about how, for example, the bus costs �1.20 and the car costs 80p for the same journey. Is that 80p for petrol, or 80p including the costs of road-tax, insurance, depreciation, payments on the loan that paid for the car etc etc. It is misleading to compare the cost of a bus ticket to the cost of a car journey without including all of these fixed costs for owning a car.
Iain, UK

I strongly object to paying tolls/taxes for a situation which is no fault of my own Richard Brown, UK

I live in Hampton - the main (and only) road for the first mile of my journey to work passes three schools; Lady Elenor Holles, Hampton School and Hampton Community College. Every morning when the schools are open, some 40 coaches together with individual parents dropping off their children effectively block Hanworth Road from 0800 to 0900. I started driving to work because the buses cannot get through to any sort of timetable. When the schools are closed however, there is no problem and no congestion. I strongly object to paying tolls/taxes for a situation which is no fault of my own. Alistair Darling should engage his brain before opening his mouth and look at why such situations occur.
Richard Brown, UK

I can drive but don't have a car so I rely on public transport. Both the bus and trains are of poor quality, run late (if they can be bothered to turn up) and on top of that you pay through the nose, so charging people extra to travel when there is no alternative is wrong.
Liz, UK

People still need to get to where they are going, introducing congestion charges doesn't suddenly make their journeys unnecessary. Without a dramatic improvement in public transport it would be extremely unfair to introduce any more taxes for motorists.
David, England

It could cause more problems than it solves Peter, UK

It may work in London, but in smaller towns I have my doubts. Businesses will move out to the outskirts, or to other towns where charges are less or non existent. It could cause more problems than it solves. As for Big Brother tracking my every journey, no thank you.
Peter, UK

Charging mothers on the school run is a good idea - it takes me half the time to drive to work in the school holidays as it normally does. It probably wouldn't have any effect on the level of traffic, but it would annoy those idiots who drive their children half a mile to school in the middle of the rush hour.
Peter, UK

The government still doesn't get it! Until there's a viable alternative, what's the point in berating people for using cars? First provide the alternative by extending public transport - then, and only then, is it reasonable to reduce private transport with pricing penalties.
Paul B, UK

Penalising the driver will simply cause inflation Tony Humphreys, Wales, UK

My 4 mile commute costs me 80p to drive, but a return bus fare costs �1.20 with 2 changes. Penalising the driver will simply cause inflation as there is no economic alternative.
Tony Humphreys, Wales, UK

Paying a small slice of tax for each journey made doesn't seem that unreasonable and it would make people think about their car usage. However any such charge must be accompanied with the total abolishment of the Road Fund tax and a massive reduction in the taxation on fuel. Will this happen? Will it hell.
Robin, England

Why not? I don't use roads at peak hours, am not a parent and although I would love to use a motorway, there isn't one within 40 miles of my house. I pity the rest though!
Sarah K, England

By all means go ahead. But if we are to pay car tax as we drive the tax disc should be abolished ... not simply reduced! However, some of us can't find alternative methods to get around. I live in the country and work elsewhere in the country 40 miles away. I can't move due to house prices and the commitments of my partner. My village has 2 buses per day (both of which appear around lunch time). So better public transport for rural areas being subjected to this extra tax would also be necessary. Not all of us want to live in big cities surrounded by roads and cars.
Rachel Horner, UK