Is it sinful to drive faster than the speed limit?
Is it sinful to drive faster than the speed limit?
Question: The Bible teaches that we ought to follow both the laws of our country and the commandments of God. Therefore, does intentionally exceeding the speed limit constitute a sin?
— Ben Hoffman, via email.
Answer: Civil legislation is created by humans, and although, as a basic principle, one ought to follow these regulations, the obligations are not identical to those we possess with divine law. If any civil legislation contradicts divine law, it ought to be opposed and not adhered to.
Numerous theologians, including St. Thomas Aquinas, contend that unjust regulations that contravene God’s doctrines are not laws in any true sense. Furthermore, civil laws that do not infringe upon divine law might, at certain times, be justifiably disobeyed.
For instance, there exist regulations against “jaywalking.” Nevertheless, as charity is the supreme law; if an individual observes someone in immediate distress (e.g. heart attack) on the opposite side of the street, it is justifiable to disregard the jaywalking regulations and forgo the nearest crosswalk to wait for the signal. Civil law predominantly reflects human judgment and can vary as circumstances evolve. In contrast, divine moral law remains constant, as it is grounded in natural law and the immutable nature of God.
So, what regarding speed restrictions?
Regarding speed limits and similar regulations, they ought to be adhered to, assuming other conditions remain constant. Nevertheless, there exists a sort of “range” of compliance that is both accepted and anticipated, influencing the ethical evaluation. Context plays a crucial role. In neighborhood areas, adhering to the speed limit is of greater significance compared to divided highways equipped with guard rails and signals. There are instances on highways where strictly adhering to the speed limits can create a danger, particularly in the left or passing lanes. The majority of drivers and law enforcement personnel acknowledge a sort of “ten mile per hour” guideline or range that recognizes that many drivers go over the speed limit within that range, whether deliberately or unintentionally. Exceeding that range constitutes an unreasonable and wrongful breach of speed limits, leading to citations when limits are infringed to that extent.
Therefore, the Christian reaction in situations like traffic appropriately respects the law yet also conforms to the societal norms that allow a certain degree of adherence. Strict compliance in these circumstances could potentially endanger the very safety that the law aims to uphold. The Christian tradition additionally, while recognizing the variability, would unquestionably convey that it is sinful to exceed the accepted and frequently anticipated limits.
