My dad is Canadian. He said that gas tax should be enough to cover road maintenance. When I read Mort's suggestion I asked what he thought and he responded that he would not be able to afford tires.
According to
National and State Gas Taxes (Fuel Taxes) in the United States - GasPriceWatch.com, we pay 55.8¢ a gallon for taxes. If my dad averages 45 MPG then his taxes are 1.24¢ per mile. If his tires last 60,000 miles, then he will pay $744 in gas tax during the life of his tires.
However, I usually only manage 23 MPG, so I am taxed $1,455 for the gas required to wear out my tires.
What if they varied the tax based on how economical the tires are? Less for LRR and more for off-road tires?
Hey, I do not like paying taxes, not for gas, not for tires, and not for playing World of Warcraft (yes, that is taxed, too).
I do not feel much better if someone else is taxed instead of me.