Reckless Driving Is a Sin?

[Inspired]

VALLETTA (Reuters) - Reckless driving violates God's fifth commandment (Thou shall not kill) because it risks lives, a Maltese bishop said Monday.

Bishop Nikol Cauchi said government authorities may also become partners in sin if they turn a blind eye to poor road conditions in the country.

"Reckless driving is prohibited by the fifth commandment because it is not lawful to expose oneself or others to the probable risk of death," the bishop of the small island of Gozo also wrote in an opinion piece in Malta's The Times newspaper.

Cauchi's editorial, published on the annual October 28 Traffic Victims Day called for action to curb accidents which have claimed the lives of 12 people in nearly 10,600 traffic accidents on the Mediterranean island state in nine months.

The editorial said driving test standards should be raised and the government should look into limiting the type of vehicles inexperienced drivers are allowed to use.

Malta, which is a mere 17 miles at its broadest end, boasts one vehicle for every two people among the country's 380,000 people, making it the most traffic congested country in Europe.


http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=humannews&StoryID=1643594

 

[Dewjunkie]

Hmmm...I'm not sure about this one. While calling reckelss driving a sin because it is against the law and we are to abide by the law may be valid, saying that it is a sin because it "exposes oneself...to the probable risk of death" may be off base. If that were the case, getting into a car period might be a sin, because there is always the risk of death. As would getting on an airplane. Or open heart surgery.

I agree that reckless driving is wrong, and if your negligence while doing so causes a death, then it is a sin. To blanket all reckless driving being a sin is opening it up to everyone's judgement as to what "reckless" means.


I think this may be an attempt at curbing reckless driving in that country, but I think it may be off in it's validity.

 

[amie]

well I guess its not so safe to stand on curbs in Malta

 

[lisa03wilson]

I agree it is a sin, since it puts others at a severe risk, but I don't know about it being a violation of the commandment. There's a difference between doing something that's nessicary, but involves a risk, and doing something that involves the same risk just because you feel like it. One is a responsible action where the person takes percautions to limit the risk to him/herself and others, while the other is irresponsible and usually doesn't involve any thought towards the risk.

 

[Warrior4Jah]

Reckless driving isnt a sin, just stupid.