Is driving a Right or Privilege?

[Jesterarts]

Just curious to see if members on here think that getting their license and driving on public roads is a Right the deserve or a Privilege they earn.

I personally think it's a privilege for 2 reasons.

1. Some people are simply incapable of driving. They literally lack the skills and mental capacity to do it.

2. When on driving on public roads you share them with other road users. And all road users SHOULD have the Right to know that everyone else on the roads isn't going to do something stupid or drive in a dangerous manner.

Therefore only people who can prove they are fit, both mentally and physically to drive on public roads, deserve to that privilege.

[walesy]

i believe it is also a privilage but having said that, go back to basics of life, who the hell really should have the right to say if someone is or isnt allowed to drive??

[HSV.006]

technically its a privilage but i like to think of it as a right

[SMURFTEC.]

i believe if it was a right, there wouldnt really be an age to drive, being 16 or whatever it is your privilege to choose whether or not you want to learn how to drive.

[STEALTHY™]

I voted right. Not because thats how i think it should be, but thats how it is. If an Asian can walk off the boat, go down to the licensing place, and get an interpreter to read signs to them, then pass the test without knowing a single english word, then thats a right, they havn't earnt ****all!

[SMURFTEC.]

I voted right. Not because thats how i think it should be, but thats how it is. If an Asian can walk off the boat, go down to the licensing place, and get an interpreter to read signs to them, then pass the test without knowing a single english word, then thats a right, they havn't earnt ****all!

haha i see exactly where your coming from mate

[the_trademarc]

I'm just gonna copy what I posted in another thread, cuz I cbf typin it again, but its the fact that VicRoads and the RTA and the like are far too lenient on people getting their license.

"People who dont want to follow the rules shouldnt have the right to drive. It is a privelege, but also a right.
You have the privelege to drive, but holding a license also gives you the right to drive. Not how you want, but it still gives you the right to use the roads lawfully.
It's like freedom. You are priveleged to have freedom, and it is your right (in this country) to freedom, but if you want to break the law, you forfeit the right to be entitled to the privelege of freedom and therefore you get jail time, etc.

That's why your license is revoked when you speed excessively. It is you forfeiting you right to drive, and therefore also your privelege."


For one, I think internationals should not be able to drive in a country where they drive on the opposite side.
I nearly got wiped out on the Great Ocean Road a few years back, coming around a corner just after the 12 Apostles, by someone driving on the wrong side of the road. Had he been doing 5k faster/slower, I woulda hit him blind on the corner, and me along with my 4 mates would be dead dead and dead. As it turns out, I had the piece of mind and the Red Bull high to swerve on the other side of the road to avoid the prick, but that's the first and only time I've ever feared for my life on the road.

I certaintly would not get off a plane in the US and drive straight from the Airport without being in the country for at least a couple of weeks.

[the_trademarc]

P.S. I voted Right, btw, because without a license (right) you can't drive (privelege); but only on the circumstances above

[excalibur]

P.S. I voted Right, btw, because without a license (right) you can't drive (privelege); but only on the circumstances above

you dont have a right to hold a license

[ashbox]

voted privelege, if you can't pass the test's be it theory or prac then you shouldn't be driving.
In saying that, you wouldn't find many cabs on the road

[the_trademarc]

you dont have a right to hold a license

By passing the test, you earn the right to hold a license, thus allowing you the privelege to drive a vehicle.
That's the theory behind it anyway.

Practically, I think we all know it shouldn't be that easy.

[edals]

It Is a Privilege to drive, And being a P plater, i cannot afford to loose my license, if i do, its down hill trying to find money to keep a roof over my head, so i respect that i have the privilege to drive.
I think we should still bring in driver defence courses for new licence holders, not teaching leaners HOW TO PASS so we can be taught how to control a car. and my experience also from riding has help also, when you need power to get you out of things, cause brakes are hopeless on bikes.

[Maxxiz]

i believe it is also a privilage but having said that, go back to basics of life, who the hell really should have the right to say if someone is or isnt allowed to drive??

You make a really good point there. I voted Privileged anyway, which it is in a way, as you cant just 'drive' you do have to pass certain tests. Legally anyway.

[excalibur]

By passing the test, you earn the right to hold a license, thus allowing you the privelege to drive a vehicle.
That's the theory behind it anyway.

Practically, I think we all know it shouldn't be that easy.

yes agreed

[VKCOMMO]

Privilege definately

[fatbats]

Privelege, something you have to be able to prove you can do so you are a safe driver

[STEALTHY™]

Privelege, something you have to be able to prove you can do so you are a safe driver

You obviously havn't seen some of the people they give licenses too, almost as if you find them in the bottom of a weetbix box.....

[fatbats]

Thats what I meant, the amount of people that just should not be on the roads is ridiculous.
The amount of times that I have gone out of my way to avoid an accident is crazy, thats why I hate all the stereotyping young people get.

Sure there are heaps of wankers out there who are P platers but im pretty sure a large number of incapable drivers make up a fair number of accidents that happen as well

[Escape-The-Fate]

i voted privilege...after i had my accident a while back, i cannot simply trust other road users..apart from a few being mum, dad and my mate that lives with me. Wet weather and me don't mix what so ever and i will take which ever route is quietest during the wet to avoid so many idiots...especially the highway, i rather take the service road. (had an accident in the wet..other persons fault and really did open my eyes because i could have come out of it alot worse.)

[fkford]

definatley privilege because its so easy to lose it

[Dum*P*ster]

definatley privilege because its so easy to lose it

yet so hard to get

[Archers]

i think it's a privilege

but i think alot of people think its there right, its so easy to get a licence i think it should be alot hard as it is a privilage that should be earned

[CANYONERO]

privilege. its wayyyy to easy to get one. even though its harder to get one now moreso than ever.

funnily i was driving a learner car yesterday with a instructor riding shotgun and its an eye opener to realise how many good habits you neglect and how many bad ones you pick up.

[vp_commo]

I think it is an interesting question.
Its a given right- fact

Is fast becoming "privillaged" due to the rising cost in petrol insurance rego repairs ect ect...but I dont see it as being privillaged for any other reason, (no one lets you drive for the amount of brownie points you got in yr 12).

It does however come with a lot of responsibility, abuse that responsibility then lose your right to drive.

Cheers

Dan

[BXHD]

i think it is a right.. but it should be a privillage and be earnt. not a given. its pretty easy to get ur licence.
when i went for mine, the test was like 15 mins. i know its changed now, but still.