Vatican: Thou shalt not drive like an idiot

Seriously. That's what the Vatican said on Tuesday, June 19th -- basically.

In more detail, the Holy See issued a set of commandments for drivers and travelers of the roads. Mostly, they're addendums to The Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," which, quite frankly, would make driving much more pleasant and possibly safer too.

We're guessing the pope had the "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" drawn a day after one too many Vespas cut off his Popemobile in traffic. The document tells drivers to behave themselves, follow all traffic laws, watch out for pedestrians, and, while driving, pray. We're sure most of us do that anyway, right?

If you've ever experienced Rome's traffic, you can understand why the Vatican is so concerned with driving habits, and won't be surprised that this isn't the first time it has spoken directly to drivers. In fact, in 1956, Pope Pius XII said, "Do not forget to respect other road users, be courteous and fair with other drivers and pedestrians and show them your obliging nature. Pride yourselves in being able to master an often natural impatience, in sometimes sacrificing a little of your sense of honour so that the courteousness that is a sign of true charity may prevail. Not only will you thus be able to avoid unpleasant accidents, but you will also help to make the car a more useful tool for yourselves and others that is capable of giving you a more genuine pleasure" Couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Read the entire "Guidelines" document here, or just click to the jump for the much shorter, "The Christian virtue of drivers and their 'Ten Commandments.'"

Bless you, Chuck Goolsbee, for this most righteous of tips.

UPDATE: Ferrari responds.

[Source: Reuters]
The Christian virtue of drivers and their "Ten Commandments"

I. You shall not kill.

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

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

IV. Be charitable and help your neighbour in need, especially victims of accidents.

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

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

VII. Support the families of accident victims.

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

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

X. Feel responsible towards others.

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