Thoughts on Driving ?

[JesusTaxiExpress]

Just curious what everyone thinks when it comes to driving ?

I think it's almost impossible to drive each day without obeying all the traffic laws 100%.....You may accidently go past a stop line, follow too close, maybe drive onto the dividing line while grabbing your coffee or when the sun gets in your eyes, etc....

What about speeding ? I've heard cops who won't give you a ticket if you don't go 10 mph or more over the posted limit.....Are we to go by a cops word who actually overrides the MV law book ? I do know that by law a cop overrides the traffic manual.

I used to drive real fast (like 90+ mph almost daily)....I have since toned it down since I came back to the Lord.....But, I am by no means perfect....I find it almost impossible to drive the speed limit especially since I am in the taxi business, and sometimes you have to hustle to get to the next call....

Now I no longer drive 30+ mph over the posted limits....I usually keep it in the 9mph over range or under....I actually sometimes drive under the speed limit too.....

I also try to be as courteous as I can to other drivers....

thoughts ? Is it a sin to not drive perfect ? Does the Lord let the police govern us on this matter ?

Lastly, I also feel that if you drive the speed limit on occasion that you would actually be a danger to others on the highway - like when traffic is highly congested and moving briskly over the posted limit...If you are driving slower than everyone else then you would actually be a hazard.

thanks, JTE

 

[miamited]

Hi JTE,

Why would you think it is a sin to not obey traffic laws?

God bless you.
IN Christ, Ted

 

[98cwitr]

I am a habitual speeder and I dont feel guilty about it.

That said, this is kinda like what Paul said about being an influence on others:

1 Cor 8

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

So because of this, I will tell you to stick by your convictions, and pray about it. This thread is about to turn into a "we should obey man's laws because of Romans 13" but we accept a certain amount of risk, whether we do right, or we do wrong.

 

[jermgray1]

I try to obey the traffic laws at all times. The OP is saying that it's nearly impossible to always obey the traffic laws.

 

[98cwitr]

I try to obey the traffic laws at all times. The OP is saying that it's nearly impossible to always obey the traffic laws.

Agreed.

 

[JLR1300]

My main attempt when it comes to driving is to be as safe as possible so as to preserve human life - both my own and others. I do think that our main guide when it comes to mere human laws should be the glory of God and love for our fellow man. If the speed limit is 70 and we are driving 85 then it seems that we are not being a good witness and that does not glorify God. Also if I am driving 20 mph over the speed limit I am endangering myself and also others and that isn't loving.

Having said that, I also think that if everyone is driving 80 in a 70 mph speed limit then you should probably drive maybe 75 or so. Try not to drive too much above the speed limit but at the same time if you drive too much below the flow of traffic you are endangering others because it has been proven that the real danger on the highway is not so much speed but the differences in speed. It is better to protect life than to be legalistic about man-made laws. Even Jesus said that if an ox falls into a ditch on the Sabbath we should be more concerned about saving the life of an ox than being legalistic about a law. I think a little liberty when it comes to things like this isn't the same thing as adultery or murder. Of course, if you get a ticket for speeding then just pay your fine and don't gripe about it.

 

[Bluelion]

its a law that everyone breaks the purpose of that law is not to keep you at no more than that speed it is to keep you in range of that speed. Sometimes it is just not safe. I did 5 under the whole way home tonight because of bad weather. Be smart about it, I think it is only a sin when you put your self or others at risk. I also had guys riding my bumper for going 5 under. Those people who do this make me mad because if i hit my breaks they are going to slam in the back of and I have my son in the back seat. I think riding people and pushing them to go faster is a sin because you are guilty of not loving them. would you do the same to your child, or wife? and won't you know before i made it home they had the roads blocked off for a huge wreck. I think as long as you are loving others as much as you can you are good and its a good rule. Think would you do that to Jesus? Or would Jesus do it to you? That should be your measuring rod.

 

[JesusTaxiExpress]

Hi JTE,

Why would you think it is a sin to not obey traffic laws?

God bless you.
IN Christ, Ted

Ted, I'm basically saying that a cop overrides the traffic manual when it comes to laws....And, if a cop would not give you a ticket for something - IE: pulling up to a multiple lane light with dividing lines and you accidently drive over one of the lines...Technically that is a violation, and you could get a ticket for it....However, if an officer would not give you a ticket for it then perhaps it is not a sin ? He is the law, and enforces it.

 

[JesusTaxiExpress]

My main attempt when it comes to driving is to be as safe as possible so as to preserve human life - both my own and others. I do think that our main guide when it comes to mere human laws should be the glory of God and love for our fellow man. If the speed limit is 70 and we are driving 85 then it seems that we are not being a good witness and that does not glorify God. Also if I am driving 20 mph over the speed limit I am endangering myself and also others and that isn't loving.

Having said that, I also think that if everyone is driving 80 in a 70 mph speed limit then you should probably drive maybe 75 or so. Try not to drive too much above the speed limit but at the same time if you drive too much below the flow of traffic you are endangering others because it has been proven that the real danger on the highway is not so much speed but the differences in speed. It is better to protect life than to be legalistic about man-made laws. Even Jesus said that if an ox falls into a ditch on the Sabbath we should be more concerned about saving the life of an ox than being legalistic about a law. I think a little liberty when it comes to things like this isn't the same thing as adultery or murder. Of course, if you get a ticket for speeding then just pay your fine and don't gripe about it.

I'm kind of want to side with you on this one...Also, won't God convict us ? I do feel conviction sometimes like if I do drive too fast, or some other stuff I do which I then ask for forgiveness, and try not to do it again....I don't think I feel conviction though sometimes when I drive like 5 mph over...

I agree we want to be good witnesses...So we don't want to endanger ourselves or others, and drive in a safe manner....

Where is that scripture about the ox in the ditch ?

Also, I would agree as well that if you really are not doing something right when it comes to driving you will get a ticket, and then you have to pay it....Or, perhaps also, maybe you get pulled over and get a warning from a cop....That should be construed as a warning from God....

Because I would suspect 99% at least don't drive perfect all day long each day technically.....Could Satan have put up so many signs, and laws to make it virtually impossible for us to follow them all completely by the book ??? Therefore, making us feel guilt rather than conviction by God ? A cop does override the traffic laws...A cop can tell you to go through a stop sign....They allow traffic to go through red lights and stop signs all the time after hockey games near where I live....Is that breaking the law ?

 

[JesusTaxiExpress]

its a law that everyone breaks the purpose of that law is not to keep you at no more than that speed it is to keep you in range of that speed. Sometimes it is just not safe. I did 5 under the whole way home tonight because of bad weather. Be smart about it, I think it is only a sin when you put your self or others at risk. I also had guys riding my bumper for going 5 under. Those people who do this make me mad because if i hit my breaks they are going to slam in the back of and I have my son in the back seat. I think riding people and pushing them to go faster is a sin because you are guilty of not loving them. would you do the same to your child, or wife? and won't you know before i made it home they had the roads blocked off for a huge wreck. I think as long as you are loving others as much as you can you are good and its a good rule. Think would you do that to Jesus? Or would Jesus do it to you? That should be your measuring rod.

Bluelion, I like your post...If you are making others mad at you then yes obviously that is not good....Tailgating people is no way to drive....

 

[Avid]

Ted, I'm basically saying that a cop overrides the traffic manual when it comes to laws...

...However, if an officer would not give you a ticket for it then perhaps it is not a sin ? He is the law, and enforces it.

They design speed limits to fall into a safety range for the type of road, the type of area (population, demographic, etc.,) of a particular area. Then, sometimes they put a lower speed there for other reasons. There may be an intent to catch someone speeding that (in all good conscience) intended to follow these laws. That is deemed a "speed trap" by many people, and by some courts, etc.

The officer is in the place of ENFORCING the laws, but has the authority (on occasion, or by special instruction - i.e.: event traffic, etc.,) to override these laws for safety, unique traffic flow patterns, etc. This type of law is of a civil variety, and very few laws, or infractions thereof, rise to the level of criminal. A traffic law that is a criminal includes "Traffic Homicide" or "Excess Speeding" (Typically 30mph over...)

... A cop does override the traffic laws...A cop can tell you to go through a stop sign....They allow traffic to go through red lights and stop signs all the time after hockey games near where I live....Is that breaking the law ?

The municipality or the state (Federal in some cases, like that of US Highways and Interstate Highways,) has a department for deciding the basic traffic codes within certain guidelines. Being largely civil codes, these are not the type of "SIN" (transgression of the law) that the OP was concerned with. If a cop is there overriding the posted traffic laws, he is not there to cause you to "sin," anymore than a police escort (i.e.: funeral procession, dignitary motorcade, etc.) is causing anyone to "sin."

If you need a guideline, try staying within 5mph of the posted limit. Not too fast, and not too slow for MOST situations. As was mentioned earlier, WEATHER or VISIBILITY has a HUGE impact on that type of situation.

Police will try to tell someone to obey the posted speed limits, and stop signs, etc., because he wants you to drive safely. My experience is that these same officers will do EXACTLY what they may ticket you for doing, and there is no emergency or overriding urgency that causes it! This is proof positive that these civil penalties are for the collection of revenue, and are not exclusively for safety. Also, you are more likely to be ticketed if the end of a cycle is at hand, and a QUOTA for revenue from traffic tickets needs to be met! This is another reason to see these things as MOSTLY about revenue to the municipality, state, etc.
.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

did anyone notice "coffee" in the op.

that's a ticket right there. (while driving) - a hot beverage, liquid, spillable, distracting, adrenaline producing, a drug! that influences the mind, 0 o safely or not, it's a ticket offense.

..... back to my cup'a joe made with distilled water and sweetened with vitamin c packet now.....

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Is it a sin to not drive perfect ?

Romans 14 governs: 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Problem solved -

Fortunately we have an advocate -

 

[walkinginthelightnow]

Today I had to floor it while merging through traffic entering the freeway. While getting onto the on-ramp...the cars in front of me were driving very slowly. I had a 4 second window to floor it and over-take, and I did! I punched the 5.3 V8, well enough to pass all the slowness and I was out in front away from the mess.

I felt so relieved that I was able to pass the hairy mess...but also felt a sense of "Was that too much?"

I wrestled with my thoughts for a few seconds but I explained to the Lord that I normally don't drive like that and that certain times call for certain measures. So I felt better. I believe he understood me but I know that to make it a habit, that'll be wrong and a sin.

I used to get speeding tickets in younger days and a few red-light violations. So through the fines and points I have been humbled and 95% of my driving time in the last 10yrs has been driving like a senior citizen. I am not a senior citizen, but you get the point.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

It is my opinion that I should try my best to obey all traffic laws. I also believe that God is not a tyrant and will forgive human error. He knows that it is near impossible to obey all of them at all times.

Furthermore, the law is flexible on some points. For example, if you're in a fender bender, the law in your area may say you have to stop and exchange information. But there are scam artists who stage minor fender benders so they can get you out of your car and mug you, or worse. If you feel unsafe, maybe because you're in a dangerous part of town and you don't have enough physical protection, you're justified in going somewhere you are safe before you contact authorities.

If you miss a stop sign because it was hidden behind a tree, it's only an error, not a sin, and it may even be a legal defense.

 

[Blue Wren]

I think, we all will mess up, at times. Sometimes you must disobey the law, because it's in the best interest of someone, at the time. If you need to run a red light, to take someone to hospital, for example. You should, of course, still use caution. It's for the best, to obey the laws, the best you can, yes. This girl, who was texting whilst driving, she hit me a couple of months ago. It is not legal, to text whilst driving, but she was doing it. She took me to hospital, apologised so many times. She had seemed, so sincere. She said she was a Christian, too. I needed stitches, a cast. I have a scar, on my arm, that is ugly. I do have insurance, as it was compulsory for me to buy for my exchange programme, but, it did not cover all the expenses. She had promised, that she would pay for everything. Take full responsibility, she said. Pay the bills for the hospital, replace my bike. Now, she has told me, the bill is too high. She does not return my texts. I feel, like a fool, for having believed, that she'd be true to her word. I did not file a police report.