Traffic Laws and the Golden Rule
Here's the scenario: I was driving the speed limit, 70 MPH, in the right lane on an interstate through a Red state. In the left lane is an 18-wheeler that does not seem to be in a hurry to pass me. Tailgating me is an SUV that is flashing its lights. Once the semi finally passes me the SUV does likewise. As he passes the SUV driver honks his horn and displays an obscene gesture with his right hand. On the tailgate of the SUV is one of those fish things with the word "Jesus" inside, a bumper sticker saying something like "Spread the Word" and the name of some church, and a sticker on the window that looks like Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes, kneeling in prayer beside a cross.
It was obvious that this guy did not really get too much out of his weekly visit to church. He at least violated the golden rule, and maybe a whole lot of other stuff that is buried in the bible. But it occurred to me that maybe everyone who violates traffic laws is also violating the golden rule. Don't you just hate it when you are on a road or street following someone who slows sudddenly and turns off without providing the advance warning by using their turn signal? Or, how about those folks who nearly clip you as the run a red light or a stop sign? These are easily violations of the golden rule. But so is speeding. To that "Christian" SUV driver I contend that by putting me at risk because you want to drive faster than has been deemed safe is clearly a violation of the golden rule. Surely you would not want me to put you life at risk so why do you imperil me?
To all of you folks who consider yourselves "Christian" out there, please think about the golden rule the next time that you choose to ignore traffic laws. I know that Christian cult does have an exclusive patent or trademark on the "do unto others" mantra, so all of the rest of you should also obey traffic laws, lest you be deemed in violation of the dogma of your religious sect.
posted by Scott Hayden @ 7:14 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
You touched on a serious hot button for me. I hate SUVs, I know not all SUVs and their drivers are evil, but the people in them really seem to be of the kind you mention. They continually overdrive their vehicles, putting others at risk because - sure they have big engines - but they have minimal handling and braking abilities. Turn signals are another thing that you are right - nobody knows how to use. Coming to a complete stop then putting on your turn signal is ludicrous, it is meant to provide as you stated an advance notice of what is happening.
Not that I am saintly - I will flash my lights at people - but only those hanging out in the far left lane and crawling - actually much like the semi you mentioned - around another car. In fact I had a similar experience a few weeks ago where I pushed an SUV out of the way because he was doing 66 in the left hand lane. According to my kids he flipped me off as well. I don't recall if he had a sticker or not
http://www.ridelust.com/red-light-cameras-just-dont-work/
Now there is some very convaluted logic for you.
How about, "Safety mechanisms on guns don't work, because people still accidentally get shot with guns that have safety mechanisms."
If red light cameras are causing a lot of accidents because people are stopping suddenly to avoid running the red light, then that is proof positive that they are working as designed. The fact that people are driving too fast, too close to the car in front of them, not paying attention, or some combination of these is what is causing the accidents, not the cameras.
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