The Vatican Issues 10 Commandments for Drivers

In 36-page document called "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road", the Vatican has issued the 10 Commandments for the faithful covering everything from road rage, respecting pedestrians, keeping a car in good shape and avoiding rude gestures while behind the wheel.

Speaking in a news conference, Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the office, said that the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life.

"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."

Here are the "Drivers' Ten Commandments":

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.

Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state, doesn't have many of the problems listed in the document.

It has about 1,000 cars, the speed limit is 30 kph (about 19 miles per hour) and one Vatican official said the last accident inside Vatican City's walls was about 1-1/2 years ago, resulting in minor damage.

In the U.S., long before the Vatican issued its 10 Commandments for motorists a small Catholic group in Mississippi has already been busy concerning itself with the same issues. Inside Line has reported that the Sacred Heart Auto League has been promoting "prayerful and careful driving" since 1955 — and offering up visor clips, key chains and other car-related prayer aids on its Web site.

Well if you want to "save your soul" follow these commandments, but if you want to save your life better make sure those auto parts (including your Honda nerf bar) are in good condition.