Yes, this has something to do with Religion & Spirituality. It has to do with morality. Trust me.
2007-09-10 12:59:17 · 39 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Both. I don't want to get a ticket, but at the same time I feel I have a duty to be a responsible citizen. I'm big on self-responsibility. And with that, comes obeying traffic laws. More important than both of these though is my own personal safety. Though even then I'm not dogmatic about everything; there's certainly a difference in risk between driving 56 mph on a highway and driving on the left side against traffic.
2007-09-10 13:04:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Actively speaking, it's more the former than the latter. I don't want to be fined. And like Kathy Griffin, I would probably cry and be in fear of getting Linda Blair'd in jail.
That's why I rarely speed in the car (the bike is another matter), and I follow the laws.
Inactively speaking, I know that most traffic laws make sense (I personally find speeding to be a little bit of a gray area) and if followed by all would mostly prevent accidents.
So while desire for safety is not at the forefront it certainly is a factor. After all, I'm not going to start blowing stop signs because they're an inconvenience - I clearly know that it could kill someone were I to pick and choose the traffic laws I want to follow.
2007-09-11 01:55:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the traffic law and the scenario in which it is being applied.
If, for example, it is 3 AM in a small town, and I am coming up on a 3-way stoplight, in which both directions are clearly visible and nobody is coming, I am obeying the law to avoid getting a ticket, and only to avoid getting a ticket.
If it is 6 PM on the other hand, and there is a single car waiting at the light, I am doing it for safety's sake.
There are also several scenarios in which I obey them for neither reason, rather to be polite and follow convention to make things easier for those around me.
I honestly doubt that there are many people that do it only for one of your two reasons, usually it seems as if it is a combination thereof...
2007-09-10 13:11:36 · answer #3 · answered by yelxeH 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that this is a spiritual issue, but I was somewhat surprised that you recognized it.
I obey traffic laws for three reasons: 1) I am commanded by God to do so.(Romans 13:1, Mark 12:17)
2) For my own safety and that of others. This is the reason I no longer drive. I do not trust my reflexes or judgment since I must now take medications for various illnesses.
3) I do not desire punishment! I have erred on occasion and gotten a ticket. I hate having to pay a fine!
2007-09-10 13:15:29 · answer #4 · answered by babydoll 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Probably the latter, but that is only when I obey the traffic laws. I also do the former, though not as much, when I am passing through a small town and know full well that I am the person they want to give a fat ticket to because I won't come back for court or be in any position to dispute it or see the cop everyday at the coffee shop and make him feel awkward for jacking me like he did.
2007-09-10 13:05:32 · answer #5 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What a cleverly worded and deceptively cloaked inquiry.. very good question as always.. piercing, illuminating. That's why I pay attention to your questions.. so interesting and provocative. Anyway to answer the question.. Personally I do not drive.. I use a bicycle to get around. I do not obey the laws for riding a bicycle because I do not fear punishment at all. I believe the way I use a bicycle is safer than the law.. which states a bicycle must drive in the same direction of traffic, and on the road not the sidewalk. Also you are supposed to use handsignals for turns etc To me it is actually safer to bike in the opposite direction of traffic, so you can see them coming, and to bike off the roadway either on the sidewalk or shoulder. I dont use handsignals because I am not travelling with the cars I always yeild, give way and act as a pedestrian. I think that is much safer as bicycles are no match for motor vehicles and in my opinion don't belong on the road. In effect I am disobedient for the sake of greater safety...As far as motor vehicle laws if I did drive I would obey them all as they are the safest way to behave. I encourage everyone I know to obey traffic laws, especially if I place my life in their hands by being a passenger. I do that because I desire safety for all.. me, other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. I do not fear punishment because I have no desire or inclination to bring it upon myself by breaking the laws and endangering life. I obey those laws because I not only desire greater safety, but because I believe those laws uphold that principle. The reason I do not fear religious punishment of hell is because even though I am not religious I have done nothing that would or should cause me to suffer punishment.. I have caused no pain nor suffering to others and I always act with the greater good in mind.. safety, health, and well-being. I do not "obey" religion because it does not make me fear punishment for disobedience.. I dont believe in it, and I don't believe it upholds the standards of greater good.. I believe in the greater good itself, morality, justice and ethics. That's why I am not affiliated with any organized religion.. I never have been and I never will be. I can respect the beliefs of its followers, but I will stand up for the greater good if religion (or anything else) threatens it in any way.
2007-09-10 17:29:14 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I obey traffic lights cos of safety and speed restrictions cos of punishment - not the money so much as the points which are limited to *12 per three years.
When I started driving in the early 60s the only speed restriction was 30 mph in town - outside of town it was open slather where only the best or luckiest survived.
From memory (in Oz) it's only in the last 30 years they put speed restrictions on the 'open road'.
2007-09-10 13:48:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously I don't obey them all, but I am more concerned with safety than breaking the law. If I am on a Motorway and its Empty, I'm not normally exactly on the speed limit. On the other hand if I am driving down though a residential area with lots of cars parked in the road I am normally below the speed limit.
2007-09-10 13:05:02 · answer #8 · answered by Link strikes back 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I obey traffic laws because I don't want to get a ticket. Actually most of the time I don't obey traffic laws. Only when I see a cop
2007-09-10 13:03:21 · answer #9 · answered by lindsey p 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I obey traffic laws because Paul the Apostle wrote that it is the way a Christian should behave, obeying the laws of the land in order to be "above reproach" in any one else's eyes. He taught we must live a blameless life so that no one would have anything bad to say about us so that we could bring honor to God.
Because honestly, before I had a relationship with Jesus I couldn't give a flying rip about traffic regulations or the law :P
2007-09-10 13:07:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋