VEHICLE SAFETY By MICHAEL ROBINSON

Safety is not just an attitude but more importantly the value you place on your life and the lives of others.

VALUE How much VALUE do you place on your life and the life of others?

What is Road Rage? It is an extreme form of aggressive driving. Actually it is a LEARNED cultural habit of retaliation when you feel like retaliating.

n Congestion - Nearly 70% of urban freeways are congested What Causes Road Rage? n Territoriality- People don’t like drivers who violate their personal space n Instructive Response - Punish drivers who fail to travel as we expect n Personality Type - Some people are impatient, controlling, or rude

Some Are Even MACHO!

How Do We Handle Road Rage? n We flip them a BIRD or make other negative gestures! n We use profanity or name calling! n Flash high beams, tailgate, lay on horn, roar engine, stop in front of them, chase them or edge them over! n Intentionally injure the person’s vehicle or the person(s)!

Why Our Negative Responses? BECAUSE WE WANT TO PUNISH THE PERSON!!!

Problems With Road Rage n Scares passengers (family, friends, etc.) n Teaches young people bad habits n Shows signs of inconsideration n Endangers the lives of others and self n Can be very costly (fines, accidents, hospital, insurance, etc.)

How Do We Avoid Road Rage? n Leave earlier for your destination so you're not frustrated by traffic delays. n If someone angers you, don't "give them the finger" or honk your horn. n Do not tailgate. n Remain in the right lane as much as possible. n Do not slam on brakes if you’re tailgated. n Don’t drive with your bright lights on in traffic.

n Don’t speed up to intimidate the driver who wants to change lanes. n Don’t follow cars too close. n Don’t show a reaction to an aggressive driver. n Don’t stop in the road to talk with pedestrians or other drivers. n Move over if approaching car is flashing lights. n Be polite and courteous, regardless of other driver. How Do We Avoid Road Rage?

n Assume other driver’s mistakes are not personal. n If you make a mistake, make a gesture of apology to the other driver. n If another driver challenges you, keep moving. n Don’t inflict loud music on neighboring cars. n Avoid behaviors that antagonize or irritate others. How Do We Avoid Road Rage?

n Use turn signals appropriately. n Allow accessibility when possible for motorist to merge interstate ramp or cut over into your lane. n Don’t cut people off. n Drive the speed limit. n Avoid eye contact with an angry driver. n Don’t drink and drive! n Avoid cell phone usage while DRIVING! How Do We Avoid Road Rage?

 In order to overcome your poor driving habits, you must find a way to alter your behavior and change your driving habits to remake your traffic life more healthier and zestful.

Overcoming Road Rage n Value your life and respect the lives of others n Self-Witness and acknowledge your faults and actions while driving n Plan and carry out a behavior modification regime to alter your driving behavior n Take responsibility for your own actions n Apply the modified behavior into your driving

TIPS FOR CALMING RAGE n Start singing n Start counting n Do a relaxing exercise n Turn on some mellow music (keep tape/cd with slow tempo songs handy) n Do anything that will distract yourself from aggressive behavior

HAVE A CHOICE OF HOW YOU DRIVE!!!

HAVE A CHOICE OF HOW YOU RESPOND!!!

DRIVE SAFELY HAVE A SAFE SUMMER!