This caused me to wonder how many of my friends participate in this rite. So I asked the question on my Facebook page.
The responses I received, weren't really a surprise, but rather a confirmation of what I suspected: That we feel like it's right and good to warn other motorists when a police officer may catch them breaking the law. I find this more than a little disturbing, because of the implications. That the majority of those who responded are Christians is even more distressing.
What I have concluded in this scenario is that there is an "us vs. them" conflict in play, and we are choosing to side with the lawbreakers.
Many will accuse me, with this statement, of blowing things out of proportion. After all, while speeding is "technically" against that law, it's a very minor offense, and one widely practiced. It's not a big deal. In addition, the officers employ deceitful tactics, and set traps to catch offenders with the purpose of raising revenue, not making the roadways safer.
What's in italics in the previous paragraph might serve as a summary of the justifications I have heard for speeding. Some of you, however, are honest enough to admit you have a "need for speed", and are willing to accept the consequences should you get caught.
The bottom line is: Exceeding the speed limit IS against the law, and the authorities have a right (indeed an obligation) to enforce it. Also, when a driver operates his vehicle at a speed different than the general flow of traffic, he poses a danger to himself and those around him. The greater the difference in speed the greater the danger, and excessive speed is reckless.
One responder indicated that flashing your lights at oncoming vehicles does serve the purpose of causing them to slow down, thereby improving safety, but I don't believe this will make a lasting impression. In fact, I might argue that by helping him achieve a "victory" over his "enemy", you could increase the likelihood that he will do it again. No, speaking with experience, what makes you really change your habits is a 90 day probation during which, if you receive another ticket, you will be punished for both offenses.
As for the other excuses listed above, what happens when you apply them to a different crime, such as shoplifting. Department store detectives use deceit (disguise and cameras) to help catch shoplifters. If you happened to see someone put an item in a purse, and knew that the act was caught on camera or by a detective posing as another shopper, would you warn that person so they wouldn't be caught? Would you feel like you were reducing crime by doing so?
Also, the so called "sin tax" is a widely accepted practice. I have no problem having those who speed pay the "tax"that the government collects instead of raising my taxes, the same as smokers paying the tax on cigarettes.
Finally, while I believe there are some corrupt law enforcers (just as there are in the rest of society), I do not believe this is the norm. Most of them choose this field because they have a sense of duty to uphold what is right, and to correct what is wrong. I have great respect for the men and women who daily put their lives in danger in order to keep me safe. Why, then, would I want to work against them?
"Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." (Romans 13:2)
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I think I said in one of my many posts that I try really hard not to speed (even though it goes against my natural inclination) because I would feel really bad if I hurt someone by my recklessness. I recognize my responsibility to curb my natural tendencies for the good of my fellow man. I don't want someone else to have to live with the consequences of my actions. I appreciate the lighted signs that serve as a reminder and immediately adjust my speed when reminded.
ReplyDeleteI would like to believe that everything law enforcement does is good, but I would much rather give openly to their coffers than to put them in the situation where their revenues have to be subsidized by a speed trap set so specifically. When there is a 2 mile stretch of road that is 5 miles per hour less than the road before or after it, that's an unnecessary speed trap in my opinion and their time would be better spent elsewhere.
So while I appreciate and have even thanked the police for enforcing the speed limit in an area that I was driving faster than the justified speed, I still do not condone a speed trap set for the sole purpose of raising revenue and not for promoting safety.
I think it's a poor use of police time to raise revenue in such a way. I would prefer to pay higher taxes. That's my feeling anyway as one of their many employers.
This was an interesting comment on your facebook with interesting comments that came, and our Joey makes an interesting point. It sometimes is very hard on me to live in a world that is so "bi-polar" which also happens to be one of my personal challenges... a world where we have both the good and the bad in every aspect of our lives... but it is the world we chose to came down and learn from! I try very hard to live by the "law" even though many are way over the top and stupid! But I have learned that if you live by God's law in your heart, you rarely have to worry about man's laws. The speed law I obey mostly as a selfish act of financial shortness! I just can't afford the tickets!
ReplyDeleteAs to the flashing lights thing... I don't see it much here in Utah, but I'm not out on the open road a lot. I think that when we do weird things that sometimes it can be almost as dangerous. I've never liked horn honkers, because they usually are too quick to push on the dern things, and then they scare those around them, even when they are in the right!
And I still get a chuckle visualizing Joey as a speed demon!
Well written comments here!
Yesterday while driving to work on Redwood Road, I saw a cop moving some construction cones of the road because they were slowing people down and the trap wasn't operating properly. No matter that there were construction workers ahead and now there was a shorter merge lane. Now that seems counterproductive to me.
ReplyDeleteYou know the funny thing about speed is not that I feel a need for it. I just really don't realize that I'm doing it. It never feels fast to me. When I find myself speeding, I am the one who is most surprised. It feels as if I am driving the same as everyone else and I don't realize that I have really been passing people. It's so instinctual.
I have to admit that I set my cruise control as often as I can, even not on the open highway, because it's the only protection I have against my natural inclination to go faster than everyone else. (Although I hear this is really bad for your car.) It seriously takes me effort not to speed. And, yes, I expend the effort because it's the right thing to do.
But before I die, I would like to just once drive fast....really fast. Unfortunately, my relfexes aren't what they once were and I'm afraid 60 mph will someday feel fast....really fast.