Motivated by Donald and Bill, I'd like to solicit as many opinions as possible: is speeding morally wrong? If so, always? Or under what circumstances? Please be as brief or as detailed as you like, but I want everyone to leave a comment!
Update:
Aw man, Donald beat me to the question and discusses whether or not speeding is sinful. But no one has commented on his post except me, so, everyone comment here!
Speeding is morally wrong. My analysis follows Aristotle. Virtue is the habit of making the choice between extremes. Virtue and vices are cultivated through habitual conduct. So, even if you are alone at night and completely safe, all other things being equal, disobeying the speed limit cultivates the wrong kind of habit, and one which favors the opposite of prudence and justice. The virtues cultivated are the habits of obeying safety regulations and the more general habit of obeying the law.
Presumably, there may be extenuating circumstances in unusual situations - rushing someone to the hospital etc. I am unclear about the morality of these situations. The law may allow exceptions in those cases, albeit the virtue of driving prudently may not be reinforced by speeding in those situations. I'd bet that gravity of the moral lapse in that situation would be lessened by the situation, though.
How'd I do?
I think you did swell. I took a slightly different approach to the problem over at Bill Hobbs site:
http://www.hobbsonline.blogspot.com/2003_07_01_hobbsonline_archive.html#105847093204138224
I think we both have original, compelling and rational reasons to not speed. But of course, we must be certain as to what speeding is, something that others continue to dispute. I could be wrong and we should all just hammer down with the shades on, but I really don't think so.
"Obey Them That Have Rule Over You".
If I Can Justify Breaking a Law of Speeding, Then I Can Justify Anything. If I am Going To Be Real, Then I Must Be Consistent. It is As Simple As That. It Is A Wonderful Thing To Drive Past a State Trooper with No fear or Guilt from Disobedience