Roads benefit everyone

Nicholas Deshais raises some interesting points in his “Getting There” column in the April 8 issue (“Congestion pricing: Overdue wake-up call?”).

Unfortunately, his premise seems to be based on the belief that only drivers benefit from roads and thus should be the ones paying for them. I beg to disagree. Everyone benefits from roads. They provide a network that allows all the goods and services we need to be delivered, whether the groceries and clothes we buy, the mail, emergency services, and on and on. Buses use roads to move people without cars so they can reach workplaces, medical appointments, and entertainment.

Without good highways, our economy would be limited to things locally grown and produced. Further, while owners and drivers of cars do pay more through gasoline taxes and licensing fees, by being tax-supported, roads are paid for by those who benefit from them: everyone.

No, roads aren’t free, but that’s how society works. We all pitch in to accomplish the common good. Roads are very high on that “common good” list. We all need them, we all benefit, we all pay. And maybe, for the benefit they provide, we should willingly be paying more to keep them in good repair.

Suzanne Harris

Spokane