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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Speeding Mary Sunday, July 8, 2012

Question:

Is speeding considered a sin? Some states allow you to go 5 to 10 miles more than the actual posted speed and police won't give you a ticket depending on the officer. For example, lets say the speed limit is 30 mph if you drive 35 or 40... is it a sin? Thank you



Question Answered by

Dear Mary:

If the speed limit is 30 mph, then traveling at 31 mph is breaking the law regardless of whether or not the police enforce it. State law never allows speeding, it is individual police officer who decides to not enforce the law unless one is speeding 5-10 miles over, more likely 5 mph, as 10 is beyond variations of individual speedometers.

We have a moral obligation, however, to obey the law regardless of whether or not the law is enforced. Thus, the answer is yes, speeding is a sin. And if your speeding causes an accident, it will be a grave sin. If your speeding causes an accident that kills someone you will have two grave sins — reckless driving by speeding that caused an accident, and vehicular manslaughter (which depending on the State usually gets 10-15 years in prison). Don't speed.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

 


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