The members of the Vaad HaRabbanim for Road Safety and the heads of the Chefzeinu Lechaim organization were granted a rewarding audience with HaRav Chaim Kanievsky in which they presented several halachic questions on road safety.
HaRav Chaim attributed prime importance to the subject and during the meeting, he frequently interjected, "These are virtually dinei nefashos, life preserving questions, which must be regarded with extreme stringency."
When asked if it was a halachic obligation to fasten seat belts while traveling, considering that most trips are, boruch Hashem, uneventful, he stated emphatically, "These are dinei nefashos, life preserving laws, where one does not follow the majority. Yes, one must certainly fasten seat belts."
In the course of the meeting, he further stated that one who drives while fatigued, and dangerously so, even in order to arrive in time for prayer at the graveside of kivrei tzaddikim, is committing a sin. "Even if nothing happens, he is still considered to have sinned and requires a kappara. His very prayer can be transformed into an indictment against him."
He concluded with a blessing that no harm visit our borders.
