Is Speeding Sinful?

[UNITE_MY_WILL]

Is going 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit a sin? I want to help souls in purgatory by way of indulgences. Not that I’m attached to speeding, however I do frequently go 5 mph over the limit.

Peace,
T

 

[Rascalking]

Is going 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit a sin? I want to help souls in purgatory by way of indulgences. Not that I’m attached to speeding, however I do frequently go 5 mph over the limit.

Peace,
T

Like some things-it CAN be. If your drunk, going 60 in a school zone-yes, that’s sinful, perhaps even mortally so. If your reading a book, smoking a cigarette, and drinking coffee while going 100 on the highway, yes, that’s sinful.

Going 5-10 miles per hour over the speed limit in dry circmustances with not alot of traffic isn’t sinful, heck, in Massachusettes, it’s life saving! Go less that that, and they’ll hit you and keep on going!

 

[dcs6f4]

The way I have heard this explained is that civil law, if not something like abortion, such as the drinking age… must be followed or it is sinful. The “render unto Caesar” idea. In my opinion speeding 10-15-20+ mph depending on the situation could be sinful in the US by virtue of the fact that it puts others and yourself in danger. This is different than being on the autobahn because people are aware and alert for others driving that fast. There is also the risk of needlessly putting a decent amount of money on the line if you have a family etc.

Anyhoo, I talked to my spiritual director about this once who mentioned he tries not to go more than 5 over. Obviously, he’s not God, but I personally agree and stay around 5 over. They CAN get you for 5 over, but the cushion in my opinion is rightfully “built in” or “overlooked” for many good reasons.

 

[UNITE_MY_WILL]

I live in a somewhat rural area. I don’t feel I ever put anyones life in danger. When there are other cars on the road I need to go over the limit to keep up. Our parish is 30 minutes away, on the way there you may see 5-10 cars, this is where I drive 5-7 mph over. With four kids I always feel rushed (even when they aren’t with me) and I refuse to be late for mass. Maybe I’ll ask my Priest tonight when I go to confession.

Peace,
T

 

[Garyjohn2]

I would say no.

As long as you are being safe and not being reckless with your life or someone else’s, its fine.

Obeying laws is important, but I don’t think breaking them is a sin. Only breaking God’s law is a sin.

 

[Langdell]

I would say no.

As long as you are being safe and not being reckless with your life or someone else’s, its fine.

Obeying laws is important, but I don’t think breaking them is a sin. Only breaking God’s law is a sin.

I don’t think that that is consistent with Church teaching. As I understand it, we are supposed to obey the laws promulgated by legitimate authorities, unless doing so is contrary to natural (moral) law. The Catechism says:

1898 Every human community needs an authority to govern it.16 The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society.

1899 The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."17

1900 The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will.

.

 

[Bookcat]

Is going 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit a sin? I want to help souls in purgatory by way of indulgences. Not that I’m attached to speeding, however I do frequently go 5 mph over the limit.

Peace,
T

it can be …but it also can not be.

One reasonable understanding of this kind of law…is that the law-giver knows people generally go that much over the limit…so they intentionally set the limit lower --thus intending for people to go around that…the 5 or so miles over…

the intention of the lawgiver is very important in understanding such laws…

(hence also one sees 5 miles over …not enforced in the higher speeds much)

thus if one says close like that …it would not be a sin unless there is some other factor…

of course if one gets a ticket…for doing 5 over one must pay or it is a sin.

of course some things like school zones etc where kids are…there are stiff fines…so the intention is clear that they mean real slow…15.

So the lower…like 15 other such more enforced speeds…are to be followed closely…you know like 15! be real strict there! (it annoys me greatly when people speed in a school zone!

see twotlj.org/G-2-11-D.html section 1 C for Grisez’s explaination

 

[daeve]

Like many things, this is not a black and white issue.

When you’re driving on the interstate, just moving along with traffic, and suddenly realized you’ve crept up to 65 mph, I don’t think that’s a sin. You just slow down and pay a little more attention. With everyone else zooming past you, it’s hard to stay the limit, but once you’re aware, you just try a little harder.

If you’re in a high speed chase trying to avoid the police, yes, it’s probably a sin because you’re endangering others and breaking the law all at once.

Just as any other sin, you have to realize you’re doing it and voluntarily continue to do so.

 

[Garyjohn2]

I don’t think that that is consistent with Church teaching. As I understand it, we are supposed to obey the laws promulgated by legitimate authorities, unless doing so is contrary to natural (moral) law. The Catechism says:

1898 Every human community needs an authority to govern it.16 The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society.

1899 The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."17
.

I agree it is important to have authority for the common good of society. However, I don’t think going 5-10 over the speed limit is necessarily “resisting the authorities.” Its not a statement of resistance or rejecting the authority of the road, in my mind anyways.

1900 The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will.

.

Going 5-10 over the speed limit, in my opinion, is giving due honor. We are not disregarding the speed limit, or driving as fast as we want, but limiting our speed to a resonable amount based on the posted speed limit.

Also, as stated in the quote, its important to treat police officers (charged to excersize authorities) with respect. Knowing that they don’t mind if we go 5-10 over should also be taken into account. However, arguing with them if they DO pull you over for going 5-10 over is not ok.

I can definately appreciate the points you are making, but I really think this is ok.

 

[UNITE_MY_WILL]

Like many things, this is not a black and white issue.

When you’re driving on the interstate, just moving along with traffic, and suddenly realized you’ve crept up to 65 mph, I don’t think that’s a sin. You just slow down and pay a little more attention. With everyone else zooming past you, it’s hard to stay the limit, but once you’re aware, you just try a little harder.

If you’re in a high speed chase trying to avoid the police, yes, it’s probably a sin because you’re endangering others and breaking the law all at once.

Just as any other sin, you have to realize you’re doing it and voluntarily continue to do so.

On Wednesday our Parish has Adoration, Confession, Benediction & Mass. It’s BEAUTIFUL! But I digress, tonight there was an extra long line for confession so I waited until after Mass to ask Father if speeding would be considered a sin. He said that if you are going with the flow of traffic and realize you are over the limit and then slow down, it wouldn’t be a sin. If in going the speed limit and you find that it is causing a possible hazard you may up your speed slightly until the hazard has passed. Use your honest judgement but, this should be rare. As a rule with all laws, Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, Render to God what is God’s!

Peace,
T

 

[Holly3278]

Is going 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit a sin? I want to help souls in purgatory by way of indulgences. Not that I’m attached to speeding, however I do frequently go 5 mph over the limit.

Peace,
T

I asked my priest once if going 5 mph over the speed limit was a sin and he said “Probably not but anything further than that is pushing it.” so I always try to keep it within 5 mph of the speed limit.

 

[Bookcat]

One reasonable understanding of this kind of law…is that the law-giver knows people generally go that much over the limit…so they intentionally set the limit lower --thus intending for people to go around that…the 5 or so miles over…

the intention of the lawgiver is very important in understanding such laws…

(hence also one sees 5 miles over …not enforced in the higher speeds much)

thus if one says close like that …it would not be a sin unless there is some other factor…

of course if one gets a ticket…for doing 5 over one must pay or it is a sin.

also the weather etc may make it necessary for safety to drive slower than the ‘posted limit’

of course some things like school zones etc where kids are…there are stiff fines…so the intention is clear that they mean real slow…15.

So the lower…like 15 other such more enforced speeds…are to be followed closely…you know like 15! be real strict there! (it annoys me greatly when people speed in a school zone!

see twotlj.org/G-2-11-D.html section 1 C for Grisez’s (who is a Catholic moral theologian known to be orthodox …faithful to the Church…) explaination

 

[OraLabora]

I live in a somewhat rural area. I don’t feel I ever put anyones life in danger. When there are other cars on the road I need to go over the limit to keep up. Our parish is 30 minutes away, on the way there you may see 5-10 cars, this is where I drive 5-7 mph over. With four kids I always feel rushed (even when they aren’t with me) and I refuse to be late for mass. Maybe I’ll ask my Priest tonight when I go to confession.

Peace,
T

If you are driving for 30 minutes in a rural setting, your destination is perhaps 25 miles away. It will vary a bit depending on how much of that is highway and how much in town.

Take a few moments and try to calculate how much time you’re saving by going 5-7 mph over the limit.

Where I attend Mass is about the same distance as your parish is from you. I have 1 mile of potholed dirt road with two stop signs, and speed there is limited by my lack of desire to pay for suspension repairs. I have drive three different rural highways with posted limits at 50 and 55 mph but where there are several villages, a stop light and a stop sign, and many curves posted at 35-45 mph. The overall journey is about 25 miles, but of that I calculate there’s maybe 15 of those where I can drive at whatever speed, restricted only by the traffic level

A week ago on the longest stretch of “open road” I got stuck behind a slowpoke driving about 5-7 mph under the limit. No opportunity to pass. My journey time took a whopping 2 minutes longer out of the 32 minutes or so it usually takes.

I did a similar calculation once going to the nearest major airport to pick up my wife once, in the evening thus light traffic. Drove one way at the posted 62 mph limit one I hit the freeway 12 miles from home, the other at the 70 or so mph that most people think they can get away with. The distance? Just over 70 miles. The slower trip took exactly 4 minutes longer.

Here’s the kicker, my car has an on-board trip computer and the faster trip consumed 10% more fuel.

People far overestimate the time saved by speeding on shorter journeys (say 70 miles or less). The speed that sets your journey time is average speed, not top or cruising speed. Throw in stop signs, road works, traffic lights, traffic, etc., and going faster is really not worth it, hardly makes a dent on average speed.

Once a week I commute 65 miles each way for my work (I used to do it every day but now telecommute). I got wise once when, about 25 miles from work I, doing about 70-75 mph, passed a little old lady in her Honda Civic doing about 55 mph (62 mph zone). Near the city I got caught in the traffic jam for one of the bridges into the city and looked to my right and there was the little old lady I thought I passed 20 miles ago right next to me. This happened for several days before I wised up. She was driving nearly 20 mph slower than I, but over 20 miles would catch up to me in a traffic jam. So I started doing the math and analyzed my route and discovered that in the 65 mile drive, there were only about 30 miles where I had unrestricted 4-lane highway and could do 10 over the limit. But even there, there were work zones. So going 10 over only saved me on average about 5 minutes, give or take depending on road conditions. And as I was doing it every day, the 10-15% extra fuel it was costing me added up. So I started to drive at the limit and have maintained the habit ever since.

So do you sin by speeding? Yes. You don’t save significant enough time to be able to enjoy a good beer. You waste fuel which is a shared resource, you waste money that can be put to better use, and you disobey legitimate civil authority (render unto Caesar…).

But if it makes you feel any better it is probably a venial sin