RobinXe wrote:
Personally I'm all for testing the thick off the roads; driving is a privilege and not a right, and if people aren't sharp enough to do it in something approximating the best manner they can then they have no business being out there.
I have always felt a little uncomfortable about this particular usage, especially as it is a favourite saw of the anti-car lobby. Clearly use of the roads in a motor vehicle is not a "right" as such, as people need to meet certain conditions, but on the other hand the word "privilege" has the connotations of some kind of special favour granted by the authorities on a possibly arbitrary basis, rather than something that is open to all. The first definition of "privilege" on dictionary.com is "a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most."
On the other hand, provided people can meet and maintain the conditions set down by the authorities, driving is open to anyone. And it's often said that the existence of "privilege" is a bad thing in society anyway.
So to my mind, although it is perhaps more long-winded, it is far more accurate to describe driving as a "conditional entitlement" rather than a "privilege".
RobinXe wrote:
Certainly the allusions to WWII fighter pilots is a massive red herring, those poor lads took to the skies with a bare minimum of training, and were as much of a hazard to themselves as the enemy were.
No, the point being made is that it is possible for people to be natural pilots without being academically gifted.
RobinXe wrote:
The modern aviation licensing model is one the driving world would do well to emulate, focussing on wider knowledge and ongoing currency and assessment; so what if it might be more expensive, this is actually a case of putting a price on a life, unlike speed cameras.
My view is that a regime which forced a lot of people to become pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, and made it well-nigh impossible for them ever to learn to drive, would in fact result in more road casualties overall. It would also breed resentment and envy of those who could drive, and probably lead to tougher restrictions on drivers, not a more relaxed enforcement climate.
If taken beyond a certain point it could also be damaging to the economy.