Okay, so if I was in any doubt that I had committed a mortal sin, now I know God’s nodding his supremely good head. Because also on the NPR site is a review of the “Drivers’ Ten Commandments.” Umm. Yikes. I didn’t think to take into consideration all my temper tantrums in traffic, and to place those into the category of sin. Shoot. I think I’m going to stop reading about all the sins we commit today, because the guilt is starting to get to me.
In June of 2007, the Vatican also released “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road.” The list extols the benefits of using a vehicle for family outings, getting the sick to the hospital and laments a host of ills associated with automobiles.
The “Drivers’ Ten Commandments”
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.