Thou Shalt Not Tailgate

[RobertG]

Does #5 mean there will be more Catholics buying Priuses?

• Vatican's 10 Commandments for Drivers
  By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Writer
  Tuesday, June 19, 2007
  (06-19) 05:40 PDT VATICAN CITY, (AP) --
  
  The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, telling motorists not to kill, not to drink and drive, and to help fellow travelers in case of accidents.
  
  An unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warned that cars can be "an occasion of sin" — particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution.
  
  It warned about the effects of road rage, saying driving can bring out "primitive" behavior in motorists, including "impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code."
  
  It urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, drive with a moral sense, and to pray when behind the wheel.
  
  Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the office, told a news conference that the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life.
  
  He noted that the Bible was full of people on the move, including Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus — and that his office is tasked with dealing with all "itinerant" people — including refugees, prostitutes, truck drivers and the homeless.
  
  "We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people die each year on the roads," Martino said. "That's a sad reality, and at the same time, a great challenge for society and the church."
  
  The document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road," extols the benefits of driving — family outings, getting the sick to the hospital, allowing people to see other cultures.
  
  But it laments a host of ills associated with automobiles: drivers use their cars to show off; driving "provides an easy opportunity to dominate others" by speeding; drivers can kill themselves and others if they don't get their cars regular tuneups, if they drink, use drugs or fall asleep at the wheel.
  
  It also pointed the finger at traffic problems particular to Rome: "Danger also derives from city cars, which are driven by youngsters and adults who do not have (full) driving licenses, and the reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles."
  
  It called for drivers to obey speed limits and to exercise a host of Christian virtues: charity to fellow drivers, prudence on the roads, hope of arriving safely and justice in the event of crashes.
  
  And it suggested prayer might come in handy — making the sign of the cross before starting off and saying the rosary along the way. The rosary was particularly well suited to recitation by all in the car since its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention."
  
  The document is intended for bishops conferences around the world, and as such offered recommendations for their pastoral workers, including setting up chapels along motorways and having "periodic celebration of liturgies" at major road hubs, truck stops and restaurants.
  
  The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are:
  1. You shall not kill.
  2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
  3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
  4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
  5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
  6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
  7. Support the families of accident victims.
  8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
  9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
  10. Feel responsible toward others.

[Neicy]

I want to see the "guilty motorists and their victims together" to "undergo the liberating experiance of forgiveness"

[jimgraffam]

I do believe Bill and Ted summarized this much more succinctly:

1. Be excellent to each other.
2. Party on, dudes!

[alexstarfire]

Sweet, not I get to go against the Vatican twice. I here on Earth to follow my own rules on what is right and wrong, not to follow someone else's view.

[thfrancis]

Thou shalt not foul thy spark plugs in an unholy manner.

[Swanny1172]

You gotta love the Catholic church. First they tell you how you can have sex and now they tell you how to drive. What's next, the ten commandments of making toast?

[galaxee]

and people said the church couldn't adapt to modern times

[Stev0]

I'll bash the Catholic Church (and any other religion, or lack thereof, for that matter) whenever I can; however, I have to admit their suggestions make sense.

[Winston]

What about:

Dont accellerate when someone signals that they want to merge into our lane?

[NoMoShocks]

Well, if there was a commandment not to tailgate, than you also need one that says Thou Shalt Not enter into thy brother's safe following distance unless he hast left a second safe following distance for you.

If I were to leave six car lengths for 60 MPH, I would have to keep slowing down as one car after another jumped in front of me.

I also don't recommend prayer while driving. Next thing you know, you will see visions and dream dreams and then crash into me.

I think this topic needs some more serious genuflection before the Vatican issues a decree.