this post was submitted on 16 May 2025
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Not everybody is cut out to drive (i.e. to operate dangerous heavy machinery in a fast-changing environment with others depending on you handling the situation correctly). The problem is when we structure our societies requiring everyone to do so to participate.
Bus, taxi, bike, walk, whatever.
I vehemently disagree that everyone has a 'right' to have a license, as so many argue.
That infrastructure is majorly lacking if you live in the US.
They never said that everybody has a right to drive. The reality is that, at least in the US and similarly planned countries, cars are priced like a luxury and treated like a necessity by the powers that be. Anything that isn't driving a car is an afterthought.
This is what I do. It is not a universal solution. You are sugar coating your answer by leaving out the final option that makes it universal: give up.
My partner wants to be a social worker. They are quite talented in their profession and help a lot of people. They are not a good driver and it would be better for everyone if they did not have to drive. However, you cannot do the work they do unless you own a car, have a valid license, and are willing to drive around. The choice offered to them is: drive poorly, or give up your life's ambition.
@AllNewTypeFace is exactly correct that there is a problem where we have structured society such that everyone is expected to drive, and your comment does not successfully refute that. The problem exists.
It's not as binary as "drive or give up life's ambition". Uber exists, busses (maybe not in USA and some areas of Canada). Still we are setup as car-centric and it sucks
Yes, actually, it is. Sometimes, for some people with some perfectly ordinary ambitions, those are the only two options. It is absolutely binary.
Uber and busses are not solutions for people who need to move their clients around, for example. Even if it were remotely practical to attempt it, even if it were safe for their clients, it's simply not permitted.
If you've never run into a situation where you had to give things up because you don't have a car, that's extremely fortunate. To claim no one ever does is wildly delusional.
I gave up my car. I bus to clients. I understand there are circumstances where it may not be always be the case but there are handy transit out here for moving clientswhoo need support, and other services. I have even seen US shows documenting social work where they use taxis.
I gave up my car. I bus to clients. In our professions, we had that option. Other people in other professions and other localities don't. My partner has to be able to transport vulnerable individuals like foster children with trauma as part of their career. Obviously we could design things in such a way that there are other options, but we haven't. Sometimes people can fill in or work around those gaps. Some times, it is not possible, for example with my partner. Fuck off now, you're just being deliberately obtuse.
That username LOL