Now before you jump to the next paragraph, let me make something clear. I love to drive, and I love to drive fast. Put me on Montana’s stretch of Interstate 90, with a speed limit of 75 miles per hour, and I take off. I would hit 85 mph repeatedly if I didn’t set my cruise control, so I’m not a slow lane granny!
I am, however, a person who believes submission is a strong trait of character. That includes submission to authority – government – highway law – speed limits.
It took me a while to settle this issue for myself. I asked for others’ opinions, especially when they urged me to speed up. My argument that the word limit meant the utmost speed one was allowed to go usually received replies like: “That’s just the suggested speed;” “You’re supposed to flow with the traffic;” “Everyone goes 5 to 7 miles over the speed limit;” “Just watch for police cars.”
Strangely, despite the majority being on that side of the argument, the signs along the highway never said any of those things. In 50 years of driving (child licensee), I never once have seen a sign that said, “65 mph suggested speed.” I never saw one that told me, “Flow with the traffic” or “Go 5 to 7 miles over 75 mph.” I don’t think any of us ever saw one that said, “Watch for police cars.”
The point is this. Character counts when it comes to speed limits.
Picture this. You are going on holiday with your family of three children, ages 8, 13, and 16. As you ride along, you convert otherwise down-time into character building time. You talk to your three offspring about the importance of submissiveness. Your 8-year old has just read Little Zoh’s Submissive Trunk at school, and joins heartily into your discussion. Your 13-year old shows his budding adolescent independence by bringing out points about what you should not submit to, like if your dad tells you to steal something. Your 16-year old, eager to manifest superiority to younger minds, talks about submission to the authority of government, and the dangers of submission to evil government.
Suddenly, your spouse says, “Dear, the speed limit’s only 55 here.”
You glance quickly in the rear view mirror, then down at the speedometer. “I’m only going 62, and that’s not too fast for this road,” you say.
Crash! You just broke something much more important than the speed limit. You broke your three children’s belief that submission is essential – that it shows strength of character.
Character counts when it comes to speed limit. Our highways are filled with drivers who have a surplus of reasons for not holding their speed below the limit, and not one of those reasons requires character. Submission to speed limits does!
Think about it the next time you get in your car. Which takes more character – racing through your neighborhood at 40 because you’re late, or conscientiously holding to the 25 mph speed limit? Isn’t it greater proof of character to exercise efficiency, punctuality, etc. so you can leave early enough to submit to the speed limit all the way to your destination?
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?