Ch. 6 Effects of Driver Condition Driver’s Education Ch. 6 Effects of Driver Condition

Ch.6 Vocabulary Emotion- Color blindness- Depth perception- Night blindness- Glare resistance- Glare recovery time- Tunnel vision- Aggressive driving- Road rage- Peer pressure- Visual acuity- Field of vision- Central vision- Peripheral vision- Fringe vision-

6.1 Emotions of Driving

Emotions and driving The word emotion is used to name a strong feeling. Anger, fear, and joy are examples of emotions you feel while driving. Emotions can influence the way you think and act. Strong emotions can interfere with your ability to think, reason, and make wise decisions.

Tasks The more tasks there are in a given driving situation, the more complex and stressful the situation. A driver can minimize the affects of emotions by using courteous driving strategies.

ANGER! Anger occurs more often to drivers than any other emotion. Aggressive driving is driving without regards for others’ safety. Anger can become “Road Rage” Road Rage is driving with the intent of harming others. Never confront someone who has made you mad on the road. Just go about your business.

4 things you can do when you become angry while driving. 1.Think Positively 2. Leave punishment to the police 3. Model good behavior 4. Consider that other drivers may have good reasons for their actions.

OTHER EMOTIONS Sorrow, Depression, and anxiety are among other emotions that can adversely affect driving. Successful use of the IPDE Process requires total concentration on the driving task. In some situations, a strong emotion can cause you to focus your attention on one event.

Emotions Continued You usually rely upon a set of assumptions or expectations when driving. You assume that others will drive and act in a safe responsible manner. In normal driving situations, other drivers might interfere with your intended speed or path of travel.

Here are actions the passenger can do to help the driver: 1. Avoid saying or doing anything that might distract or upset the driver. Refrain from heated discussions. 2. Discourage the driver from taking risky decisions. 3. Do not hesitate to compliment the driver for doing a good job of driving in a difficult situation.

Mature Drivers Mature, responsible drivers do not let their emotions make them take unnecessary risks. Excitement and happiness also can prevent you from fully concentrating on the driving task. Peer pressure can be a very powerful force depending upon the situation. In most group situations one or more people need to assume responsibility and lead the group.

Here are 7 techniques to help you manage your emotions while driving: 1. Use the IPDE Process. 2. Anticipate emotion-producing situations and adjust your expectations. 3. Do not challenge an aggressive driver when you encounter one. 4. Adjust your route to avoid heavy traffic situations if possible. 5. If you are tired, make special effort to manage your emotions. 6. Analyze all of your mistakes. 7. Keep courtesy as one of your personal rules of the road.

6.2 Physical senses and driving

Seeing Your senses play a vital role in using the IPDE Process. If you know your physical abilities, you have a better chance of maintaining control over your vehicle and minimizing your driving risks. More than 90% of the information you gather while driving is received through your eyes. Your brain directs your eyes to focus on objects in and around your path of travel. Visual Acuity is the ability to see things clearly both near and far away.

What is your vision? What does 20/20 vision mean? It means a person can read 11/32 inch letters on an eye chart from 20 feet away. So by that rational a person with 20/40 vision must be twice as close to an object to see it clearly as a person with 20/20 So by that rational a person 20/200 vision must be ten times closer to see the same as a person with 20/20.

15. Glare recovery time-

If you wear glasses or contacts If you wear glasses or contacts you must wear them by law in Florida!!! Color vision is the ability to distinguish one color from another.

Vocabulary terms Your field of vision is all of the area that you can see around you while looking straight ahead. Tunnel vision is being able to see in a narrow field of vision of 140 degrees or less.

Vision The straight ahead part of your field of vision is called your central vision. The vision that is surrounding your central vision is your peripheral vision. The part of your peripheral vision closest to your central vision is called fringe vision. A narrow field of vision 140 degrees or less is called tunnel vision. Color blindness is the inability to distinguish between colors. The most common type of color blindness is difficulty to distinguish red and green.

5 things to compensate color blindness Remember the order of lights in a traffic signal. Know the meanings of all traffic signs by their shapes. Read all signs that appear with traffic signals. Check all zones 90 degrees to both sides before proceeding at traffic signals. Take cues from other drivers.

These vocabulary terms Depth perception is the ability to judge distance between yourself and other objects. Not being able to see well at night is called night blindness.

Don’t ever get out of your car and keep your windows rolled up!

More vocabulary terms Glare resistance is the ability to continue seeing when looking at bright lights. Glare recovery time is the time your eyes need to regain clear vision after being affected by glare. Two things help you reduce glare in your vehicle: sunglasses and a sun visor. When your eyes are suddenly exposed to bright lights, your pupils contract.

6 things used to help reduce glare Avoid looking directly at bright lights. Anticipate glare situations. Use side vision rather than central vision. If you become impaired by glare, slow down. Wear sunglasses and use your sun visor. Adjust your rearview mirror at night.

Speed Smear Speed smear occurs when objects off to your sides become blurred and distorted as your speed increases. Sometimes you need to depend on other senses to identify threats to your path of travel. Your sense of hearing can alert you to sounds of vehicle horns.

Sense of Smell Your sense of smell can identify and overheated engine or overheated brakes. Your sense of balance tells you that you are veering right or left, changing speed or going around a curve.

Distractions An audio system, cell phones, pets, and other people are all examples of distractions while driving.

Physical Limitations A disability is a diagnosed physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal activity or achievement in a particular area. A temporary disability is a disability that can improve and clear up.

Physical Disabilities Fatigue can cause Drowsiness. Drowsy driving is estimated to cause at least 100,000 collisions a year. Danger signs of drowsiness: Trouble keeping your head up Drifting between lanes Wandering, disconnected thoughts Inability to stop yawning Eyes closing or going out of focus Inability to concentrate on the driving task THE ONLY SAFE REMEDY FOR FATIGUE IS REST!!!!

Medicines Many medicines have side effects that can interfere with your driving ability and risks. A lot of medicines tell you NOT to drive vehicles after taking them.

Carbon Monoxide (Don’t breath it!) Your vehicle’s exhaust fumes contain Carbon Monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is present in all engine exhaust gases! To flick a cigarette out the window in Duval County is $100 To park in a handicap spot is a $250 fine!!! Permanent disabilities are conditions that cannot be cured or improved.

Effects of risk taking Temporary illness, such as a cold, can affect a driver’s risk taking decisions. Being tired or under the influence of medicines can increase your chances of being in a collision. One in six driver’s are over the age of 65. 80% of drivers over the age of 75 take perscription medications. A chronic illness is an ailment that lasts over a period of years.