An Inquiry into the Morals (Standards) of Driving

The present paper introduces an empirical study of the applied moral principles in driving. One part of this essay deals with empirical observations about the drivers’ bad-temperedness and misbehavior, and their violation of moral principles. The other part, using a descriptive-analytical method, explains and analyzes the applied driving moral principles in that account for drivers’ bad-temperedness and misbehavior. It seems that bad-temperedness and misbehavior in driving are partly related to the merely legal, not moral perception of driving and partly to negligence of and inattention to moral principles. Therefore, traffic department and those in charge of cultural affairs have to think of changing the drivers’ merely legal perception of driving into a moral perception. It is necessary to observe some important moral principles such as abstaining from disturbing others by making noise, avoiding unnecessary beeping, double parking, and making traffic jam, the necessity of compensation for physical and intellectual loss caused by car accidents, avoiding scurrility, being kind and friendly with others, and self-control and patience. We suggest that a compulsory course on driving morals be offered by the traffic department along with the course of teaching driving skills.