I blogged recently that DWI is not a moral failure. DWI happens.
I may have been wrong. It seems the Pope must be an IWTS fan. Today the Vatican Released the “Drivers’ Ten Commandments.” These new 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.
DWI does not even garner a direct mention in the top 10. Where is the Italian MADD lobby?
I guess number 5 could apply to DWI. Does “charitably convince” include arrest, incarceration, and ignition interlock?
7, 8, 10 seem to directly denounce stingy insurance companies who don’t help accident victims. I wonder if I can use that in my car accident practice?
In our case you have to read the dicta to find a direct mention of alcohol. The paper mentions that all those who enganger others on the road are gravely guilty, whether through drunkeness or love of speed.
Basically all careless driver’s are equally morally responsible for the accidents they cause. That is a good lesson. DWI accidents are accidents after all. The same type of accidents that are caused by changing the radio station, talking on your cell phone, eating in the car, daydreaming, driving too fast, etc.
I would argue that .08 is not a level of intoxication that endagers others and that the many drivers who drink are responsible and make it home without endangering anyone. That is probably why I am not Pope.
Labels: DWI