News
September 22, 2025
Real Life: Greg Murphy blasts ‘inept’ politicians on road safety ‘failings’
The motorsport icon says it's 'embarrassingly easy' to get a driver’s licence in NZ.
Motorsport legend Greg Murphy has unleashed a blistering critique of New Zealand's road safety policies, branding them a “failings” and accusing politicians of "ineptitude." The four-time Bathurst 1000 winner didn't mince words, focusing his frustration on what he sees as a fundamental flaw in the driver licensing system.
Murphy’s central argument revolves around the perceived ease with which individuals can obtain a driver’s license in New Zealand. He argues that the current system allows drivers onto the road with insufficient skills and knowledge, contributing significantly to the country's road safety problems. Speaking passionately on the issue, Murphy stated that it's "embarrassingly easy" to get a driver’s license, suggesting that the testing standards are not rigorous enough to adequately prepare new drivers for the challenges of navigating New Zealand roads.
The motorsport icon's comments highlight a growing concern among road safety advocates about the effectiveness of current licensing procedures. While the specifics of his proposed solutions remain to be seen, his strong stance is likely to ignite further debate on how New Zealand can improve its road safety record. Murphy's celebrity status and extensive experience behind the wheel lend significant weight to his opinions, potentially influencing public perception and putting pressure on policymakers to re-evaluate existing strategies.
The current licensing system involves a graduated approach, starting with a learner license, progressing to a restricted license, and finally a full license. Each stage requires passing theoretical and practical tests. However, Murphy's criticism suggests that these tests are not effectively assessing the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure road safety.
It remains to be seen how politicians will respond to Murphy's pointed criticism. The issue of road safety is a complex one, involving factors such as road infrastructure, driver behavior, and vehicle safety standards. However, Murphy's focus on the driver licensing system places it firmly under the spotlight, demanding a closer examination of its effectiveness in preparing new drivers for the responsibilities of operating a vehicle on New Zealand roads. His comments are sure to fuel discussions and potentially lead to calls for significant reforms to the licensing process.
Murphy’s central argument revolves around the perceived ease with which individuals can obtain a driver’s license in New Zealand. He argues that the current system allows drivers onto the road with insufficient skills and knowledge, contributing significantly to the country's road safety problems. Speaking passionately on the issue, Murphy stated that it's "embarrassingly easy" to get a driver’s license, suggesting that the testing standards are not rigorous enough to adequately prepare new drivers for the challenges of navigating New Zealand roads.
The motorsport icon's comments highlight a growing concern among road safety advocates about the effectiveness of current licensing procedures. While the specifics of his proposed solutions remain to be seen, his strong stance is likely to ignite further debate on how New Zealand can improve its road safety record. Murphy's celebrity status and extensive experience behind the wheel lend significant weight to his opinions, potentially influencing public perception and putting pressure on policymakers to re-evaluate existing strategies.
The current licensing system involves a graduated approach, starting with a learner license, progressing to a restricted license, and finally a full license. Each stage requires passing theoretical and practical tests. However, Murphy's criticism suggests that these tests are not effectively assessing the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure road safety.
It remains to be seen how politicians will respond to Murphy's pointed criticism. The issue of road safety is a complex one, involving factors such as road infrastructure, driver behavior, and vehicle safety standards. However, Murphy's focus on the driver licensing system places it firmly under the spotlight, demanding a closer examination of its effectiveness in preparing new drivers for the responsibilities of operating a vehicle on New Zealand roads. His comments are sure to fuel discussions and potentially lead to calls for significant reforms to the licensing process.
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World