There seem to be a number of ideas around the ULEZ, some of which are perhaps reasonable and worth discussion (e.g. the costs of upgrading or renewing existing vehicles, challenges involved with certain commercial vehicle types) and some of which are, frankly, unhinged (e.g. conspiracy theories that the whole thing, ULEZ, 15-minute towns, LTN and so on are part of some elitist plot to limit individual freedoms).

I find the conspiracy folks and their freedom particularly odd.

It has always been the case that your freedom to swing your arm ends where my face begins; freedom is not without constraints.

So on the one hand, those who subscribe to the conspiracy theory want the freedom to pollute.

On the other hand, there is a fair amount of overlap between this conspiracy theory and the desire to limit the freedom of cyclists by removing cycle lanes and introducing licensing and taxation.

Internal consistency and clarity of thought are not particular strengths it seems.

I believe that good driving requires empathy. Empathy for other road users - pedestrians, horses, bikes, cars, whatever - makes you a calm, courteous and safe driver.

Empathy requires a lot of brain power - you need to be able to analyse your surroundings and anticipate your needs and the needs of others, in real time and at speed . I reckon most people lack the discipline to free up the head space required to be empathetic. A proportion will lack the head space to do much more than just drive the car, but that might be my cynical misanthropy creeping in.