THE new report today showing that British motorists get the rawest deal in Europe - paying the most for their fuel and cars and suffering the worst congestion and car crime - only confirms what most believed already.

But it is the deliberate nature of this circumstance that makes their reaction one of anger rather than resignation.

They are also the most highly taxed motorists in Europe but receive the least in return in investment in roads and public transport.

The current tactic - displayed only recently in the government's plans to charge motorists to drive in town centres and to park at work - is to price them out of their cars on to dreadful public transport.

But unless they begin to get more of their taxes back in the form of not just better public transport, but also new and better roads, the government may find that it gets run over in the looming backlash.

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