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Archdiocese of Canada - Orthodox Church in America
www.archdiocese.ca/bishopDriving.htm



For the aid of all, the Voronezh-Lipetsk diocese provides a series of “ten commandments” for drivers, which is offered here, since it is so practical:

1. Always begin a trip with prayer. For Orthodox believers, any business begins with prayer. We have a special prayer in which drivers ask the Lord to preserve them “from the evil spirit of recklessness, from inattention and carelessness, and from the destructive passion of drunkenness,” so as to return “whole and serene.”

2. Remember that alcohol in the system [and certain drugs] will lead to sad consequences for both person and machine.

3. Never try to shorten the time of a trip. If you started out late, you will arrive late. This commandment can be stated more briefly: never increase speed.

4. Give a wave of thanks to a driver who makes way for you.

5. Apologise to a driver whom you have interfered with, even when you did not intend to. After all, when we are walking, and bump someone, we apologise without thinking. So why should there be a different ethic behind the wheel?

6. Always yield way to someone who is in a great hurry, or is acting aggressively. If you do not yield, he will still pass you, and create a more dangerous situation.

7. Drive a car in such a way that you will be genuinely happy if a police car appears.

8. Stay as far away as possible from cars that have traces of accidents.

9. Never speed up when another driver tries to pass you, or to get into your lane. Even if there is no fine for this, a believer, and a simply conscientious person, never should act like that. What is the motive for it-ambition, pride? Do not treat your neighbour in a way you do not want to be treated.

10. After every trip, thank God for its safe completion. Be thankful after any trip, and not just a successful one. After all, almost always it could have been worse!

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