SSD,
I think pilots need to be able to do both, ie fly in both a radio environment and without it. Most newish pilots seem to be better at one than the other, often depending on where they learned to fly.
Actually, some drivers are the same. I'm amazed at how many people from big cities are scared of driving on the one-track mountain roads with sheer drops and few passing places that are normal where I live. Conversely, quite a lot of people in this area are nervous about driving in London or Birmingham.
These all require different skills and practice, and IMHO, one is no better than the other...although I personally prefer both driving and flying in the wilds of North Wales and similar areas - that's why I live here.