Driving With Jesus!
A few weeks ago I read an article in the National Catholic Register (September 17-23) titled: "Ye Shall Know Them by Their Driving" subtitled "Does your behavior behind the wheel reflect your faith-- or renege on it?" by Stephen Vicent. It dealt with the immorality of driving recklessly/driving at excessive speed, etc. It noted that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a total of 43,443 people died in vehicle accidents in 2005.
As the article noted, if that many people died in a given year using any other piece of equipment, the use of the equipment would be outlawed. Obviously this is not a reasonable; therefore enforcing laws that reduce the danger is the reasonable solution. The best enforcement is that implemented by the individual driver. Unfortunately, it is difficult for each of us to know what is safest speed etc. in a given situation--therefore, the State establishes the laws.
I have to admit, before I retired and spent hours on the road, I often exceeded the posted speed limits by 10 or more mph; or I ran orange lights when I could of easily stopped. I also was guilty of using my hand held cell phone while driving until one day driving down a winding San Antonio road at about 40 mph in my pickup I found my self driving up onto the curb. Fortunately there were no pedestrians on the sidewalk and I quickly regained control of my vehicle--at that point I implemented the personal rule not to use my cell phone while I'm driving.
Today, now that I'm not under the pressure some responsibilities and time constraints some entail; It's easier for me to be a more considerate and safer driver. I realize that many people I'll be encountering on the road while driving are under stress and I strive to keep this in mind. A couple of steps I endeavor to take to improve my driving in addition to knowing to the best of my ability the route I'll be taking include: 1. Saying a short prayer the Sacred Heart of Jesus asking that He protect me, the occupants, and the other drivers I'll be encountering.
2. Reminding myself that those on the road may be distracted or under pressures prompting them to make dangerous driving decisions. And 3. As I'm driving asking myself would I be driving this way if Jesus was my passenger. After all isn't He?
As the article noted, if that many people died in a given year using any other piece of equipment, the use of the equipment would be outlawed. Obviously this is not a reasonable; therefore enforcing laws that reduce the danger is the reasonable solution. The best enforcement is that implemented by the individual driver. Unfortunately, it is difficult for each of us to know what is safest speed etc. in a given situation--therefore, the State establishes the laws.
I have to admit, before I retired and spent hours on the road, I often exceeded the posted speed limits by 10 or more mph; or I ran orange lights when I could of easily stopped. I also was guilty of using my hand held cell phone while driving until one day driving down a winding San Antonio road at about 40 mph in my pickup I found my self driving up onto the curb. Fortunately there were no pedestrians on the sidewalk and I quickly regained control of my vehicle--at that point I implemented the personal rule not to use my cell phone while I'm driving.
Today, now that I'm not under the pressure some responsibilities and time constraints some entail; It's easier for me to be a more considerate and safer driver. I realize that many people I'll be encountering on the road while driving are under stress and I strive to keep this in mind. A couple of steps I endeavor to take to improve my driving in addition to knowing to the best of my ability the route I'll be taking include: 1. Saying a short prayer the Sacred Heart of Jesus asking that He protect me, the occupants, and the other drivers I'll be encountering.
2. Reminding myself that those on the road may be distracted or under pressures prompting them to make dangerous driving decisions. And 3. As I'm driving asking myself would I be driving this way if Jesus was my passenger. After all isn't He?
posted by Paul Amrhein | 4:11 PM
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