Vatican urges responsible driving, issues '10 Commandments'

Concern about the increase in deaths resulting from motor accidents and road rage worldwide, the Vatican has deviated from matters purely theological to issue a list of '10 Commandments' on responsible driving.

The 36–page document urges motorists to be charitable, obey traffic regulations, not to use their vehicles as an expression of power, not to drink and drive, and to help those in distress.

In Vatican City itself, there is a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour and the last recorded accident was a year–and–a–half ago and resulted only in minor damage. However, the Vatican feels that the issue of responsible driving needs to be addressed as an estimated 1.2 million people die in road accidents each year worldwide.

According to Cardinal Renato Martino, who released the document – Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road – road deaths were a sad reality of contemporary life and it presented a great challenge for society and the Church.

"We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people die each year on the roads," Martino said.

"That's a sad reality, and at the same time, a great challenge for society and the church," he said, noting that the Bible was full of people on the move, including Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus — and that his office is tasked with dealing with all "itinerant" people — including refugees, prostitutes, truck drivers and the homeless.

The unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warns that cars can be "an occasion of sin" — particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution.

It warns about the effects of road rage, saying driving can bring out "primitive" behavior in motorists, including "impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code."

The document also points the finger at traffic problems particular to Rome: "Danger also derives from city cars, which are driven by youngsters and adults who do not have (full) driving licenses, and the reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles."

The document is intended for bishops' conferences around the world, and as such offered recommendations for their pastoral workers, including setting up chapels along motorways and having "periodic celebration of liturgies" at major road hubs, truck stops and restaurants.

It is not known whether the Pope Benedict XVI has endorsed the document.

The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are:

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.