Emotions, Fatigue, Road Rage

Emotions ○ Emotions affect the way you think and act, and can therefore affect the way you drive. ○ They can change the way you make decisions and can affect the safety of you and other drivers. ○ Can lead you to accept more or less risk Minimize the effect by using courteous driving strategies

Mental Effects of Emotions ○ Strong emotions such as anger and sadness can conflict with your ability to think and reason ○ This can cause you to make rash decisions while on the road and have poor judgment ○ You may focus on one thing and ignore others, causing you to miss important information

Physical Effects of Emotions ○ Physical effects include faster heartbeat, faster breathing, muscle tightening, and slowed digestion ○ Emotional stress can make you tired ○ Situations such as traffic can cause stress

How would you feel if this driver cut into your lane?

Anger While Driving ○ Anger is the most common driving emotion. ○ A driver may get angry when another driver makes a bad driving decision. ○ Large amounts of anger can result in aggressive actions, collectively known as “road rage”.

Aggressive Driving / Road Rage ○ Most CRASHES are NOT Accidents ○ They are often the result of drivers who ○ Speed ○ Tailgate ○ Run red lights ○ Weave in and out of traffic; or ○ Vent frustrations or emotions in the vehicle

What is Road Rage? ▪ Driving which creates undue risk or endangers the safety of another person or vehicle. ▪ Road rage refers to a display of aggression by an angry or impatient motorist who attempts to injure or kill another driver over a traffic dispute ▪ NHTSA characterizes road rage as a criminal offense vs. aggressive driving which is viewed as a traffic offense.

Signs of an Aggressive Driver ○ Racing to beat a yellow light ○ Tailgating ○ Flashing lights to signal driver to get out of the way ○ Honking the horn or screaming ○ Making gestures ○ Weaving in and out of traffic ○ Speeding ○ Not coming to a complete stop at stop signs ○ Passing on the shoulder or unpaved medians ○ Cutting people off

Factors Leading to Aggressive Driving / Road Rage ○ More cars ○ Traffic congestion ○ Frustration ○ Stress ○ Hostility ○ Violence

complaining rushing competing resisting yelling cussing staring honking insulting cutting off blocking chasing fighting shooting Quiet Road- Rage: Verbal Road-Rage:Epic Road-Rage: AAAAAGHH!!! YOU’RE TOO SLOW~MOVE!!! What’s the hold up!!! Come on, HURRY UP LET’S GO!!! Three Types of Aggressive Drivers

Be Wise ▪ Avoid all conflict if possible. If challenged: - take a deep breath - get out of the way (Even if you are right.) ▪ Instead try to be more forgiving and tolerant. ▪ Recognize the absurdity of traffic disputes. ▪ Focus on what’s really important in life. ▪ Save your energy and your life-for something really important.

Conflict Avoidance Don’t Respond -- Stay COOL. Don’t react to other drivers’ aggressive actions. Don’t Engage -- Stay away from vehicles driving recklessly. Don’t Up the Ante -- Don’t take traffic problems personally. Swallow Your Pride -- Take a courteous and helpful attitude toward other drivers. Choose the Road “LESS Traveled” -- Avoid aggressive drivers by traveling less congested roadways.

Controlling Emotions ○ Anticipate stressful situations ○ Yield to aggressive drivers ○ Adjust route to avoid traffic ○ If you are tired, take extra care in handling emotions ○ Learn from your mistakes ○ Remember to be a courteous driver

Passengers and Emotions ○ Peer pressure can be a strong force ○ Passengers can strongly influence the way you drive Drivers must be a leader and take control!

Passengers can… ○ Avoid doing or saying anything that might distract the driver ○ No heated discussions ○ Talk about positive events ○ Discourage driver from taking reckless actions ○ Prepare to intervene if driver endangers others ○ Encourage driver to let someone else drive ○ Complement driver for doing a good job

FATIGUE

Fatigue ○ Fatigue is the general term used to describe the experience of feeling sleepy, tired, or exhausted when driving a vehicle. ○ Body’s Natural Downtime: Midnight to 6am and 1pm to 3pm “Circadian Rhythm”

Driving While Fatigued The Problem *64% of Americans get less than 8 hours of sleep each night. *30% of Americans get less than 6 hours of sleep each night. *Drowsiness causes an estimated 100,000 police- reported crashes in America each year, resulting in 76,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths. *Some studies have shown that up to 20% of U.S. crashes are sleep-related; 1 in 5 crashes! If this is true - it’s an epidemic. 23% of those in sleep-related crashes reported not feeling tired at all before the crash! You can’t rely on “feeling” tired as your warning.

Who is at Risk? Those who are sleep-deprived Those who drive during high-risk times of day or night Those who drive during high-risk or high- stress conditions Those who consume alcohol or use medications or drugs that interfere with ability to maintain alertness

Symptoms of Fatigue Heavy eyelids. Tired or sore eyes. Poor concentration. Yawning. Restlessness. Drowsiness. Slow reaction. Boredom. Feeling irritable. Missing road signs. Having difficulty staying in the lane/over steering.

How Do Distraction Affect Driving Ability? ○ Drivers react more slowly ○ Drivers often fail to recognize potential hazards ○ Drivers reduce their “margin of safety” ○ Driving while fatigued is considered very similar to Driving While Intoxicated!!!

Preventing Fatigue Good nights sleep. Pull over and stop. Napping. Nutrition. Stay hydrated. Affects of medication. Adjust environment. Radio usage. Do not use cruise control.

Topic 3 Dealing with Distractions

Driver Distractions ○ Each year, more than 40,000 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes and over three million are injured! ○ Research indicates that driver distraction is a contributing factor in more than 25% of all crashes

Driver Distractions – Inside the Vehicle ○ Eating or drinking ○ Other occupants in the vehicle ○ Moving object in the vehicle ○ Dialing, talking or answering a cell phone ○ Adjusting the Radio ○ Picking up a dropped object ○ Using vehicle devices or controls

Facts on Distracted Driving ○ Most distract driving crashes involved a drivers 21 to 35 years old ○ Most distracted driver crashes occurred at the end of the week on Thursday, Friday or Saturday between noon and 6pm

All Too Typical…

Driver Age Group Distractions Drivers under age 20 are more likely than older drivers to be identified as distracted at the time of their crash year-olds use a cell phone frequently year-olds eat and drink 50 plus drivers are more distracted by outside objects and events

Distractions – Texting While Driving ○ Virginians who send text messages or s while driving will be violating the law and will face a $125 fine. ○ The fine is $125 for a first offense and $250 for a second offense. ○ The new law banning texting and ing exemptions: ○ emergency vehicle operators, ○ drivers reporting an emergency or a driver who is parked. e.com/watch?v=m KKw-Q1M80o

When Distractions Lead to Collisions ○ High Risk Drivers tend to have higher levels of: ○ No hands on the steering wheel ○ Their eyes directed inside rather that outside the vehicle ○ Their vehicles wander in the travel lane or cross into another travel lane HbjSWDwJILs dht-Vy25jPs

Cell Phones & Wireless Devices ○ Virginia drivers younger than 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cellular telephone or other wireless communications devices (IPOD, CD Player). ○ Law prohibits the use of cell phones, even if they are considered to be hands-free. It also prohibits text-messaging while driving. ○ Except in a driver emergency or when the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped, drivers 18 years and younger may not use a cellular telephone or other wireless telecommunications device. The ban on cell- phone usage while driving is considered a secondary violation, similar in Virginia to safety belt laws. AT&T Driving Simulator AT&T Pledge