Check your blind spot: Why Christians must rethink their driving habits

Some years ago, I officiated the funeral of a young Christian who tragically died at the wheel of his car. The cause? Speeding.

Speeding is deceptively easy. How often do we glance at the dashboard or pass a friendly roadside speed indicator, only to realise we’re just over the limit? We all understand that road safety is paramount, and protecting the vulnerable – pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, and other road users – is essential. We’re familiar with our Lord’s command to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matt 22:39), and we recognise the direct link between speeding and injury. In 2023, 29,643 people in Great Britain were killed or seriously injured on the roads, with accidents involving excess speed accounting for around 28 per cent of fatalities. Yet, do we have a blind spot when it comes to speeding?

Some of the most eye-opening moments in my Christian life have revolved around what can only be described as ‘motoring sins’. We all make mistakes—drifting slightly over the speed limit without realising it—but I’m referring to the unashamed speeding of otherwise exemplary Christians.

I once knew a very elderly man, meticulous about observing the Lord’s Day, who proudly told us of ‘putting his foot down’ on the M6 to see if his new car could reach 100 mph. I also recall an experienced youth leader, known for his maturity and teetotal lifestyle, warning of the dangers of alcohol, only to speed off home immediately after. Another youth leader, deeply committed to evangelism and known for his generosity and hard work, drove young people to an event at 80 mph while chatting on his mobile—this was in the days before ‘hands-free’. Then there’s the preacher who, while cautioning us about our viewing habits and spiritual disciplines, is known to boast about outsmarting police patrols or dodging inactive speed cameras.

How can we speak of people made ‘in the image of God’ and preach the value of a soul, yet drive in a manner that might, in an instant, send souls into eternity?

There are two challenges I constantly remind myself of.

Firstly, ‘You shall not murder’ (Ex 20:13). A speeding car is a loaded weapon, and your foot is on the trigger. A pastor friend of mine, who previously clocked long miles as a salesman, used to say that God’s protective angels leave the bonnet when Christians willfully flout the law.

Secondly, ‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established’ (Rom 13:1). The fact is, speed kills. A 2017 study by the London School of Economics showed that road accidents and fatalities fell significantly when speed cameras were installed. The government, as ‘God’s servant for your good’ (Rom 13:4), is to be obeyed, not merely to avoid punishment but also ‘as a matter of conscience’ (Rom 13:5).

Are we embarrassed at the thought of being perceived as a killjoy for obeying the speed limit? If so, we should embrace the notion of being ‘fools for Christ’s sake’ (1 Cor 4:10). Or maybe we overestimate our abilities? An AA survey found that 100% of drivers considered themselves to be safe, despite one in 25 holding penalty points on their licence. Do we justify our behaviour with excuses like, ‘It’s the slow drivers who really cause accidents’ or ‘I can handle speed; I’ve never crashed’?

Could this be my blind spot? Could it be yours?

When faced with the facts, it’s hard to argue that speeding is ever acceptable. Yet, this blind spot is a revealing parable for how we can be so righteous in some areas of our lives and completely reckless in others, all while justifying our actions to ourselves. We need the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts – through God’s word and through our brothers and sisters – as we seek to grow in godliness.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23–24)