Make cars the last option

We can't live with them, and despite the government's best efforts, it seems we can't stop them multiplying. Why do people in cities continue to buy cars, when in all likelihood it just means being stuck in traffic, breathing exhaust fumes, while their blood pressure rises.

On July 1, following the example of Beijing and Shanghai, which have already introduced measures to limit the number of cars on the streets, Guangzhou implemented measures to restrict the growing number of cars in the city.

Beijing introduced restrictions on car use in 2007. Each car can only be used four out of five workdays per week, according to their license plate number. In theory, 20 percent of cars are off the road every weekday.