Unit 8: Personal Factors Influencing Operator Performance Emotions and Driving NV Driver Education Curriculum Unit 8: Personal Factors Influencing Operator Performance Presentation 1 of 5 TOPICS: Emotions: Mental & Physical Effects Anger, Aggression, Road Rage Avoiding Conflict

Before we begin... Let’s Talk About It Share your thoughts with a partner. Take 60 seconds to discuss: How do your emotions affect your ability to drive? Yelling female image from: http://www.quickandsimple.com/diet-weight-loss/be-happy-stress-relief/driving-stress Yelling male image from: http://www.varsitybike.com/news/ Depressed male image from: http://altanalaybeyoglu.bloguez.com/altanalaybeyoglu/966522/warning-signs-teenage-depression Depressed female image from: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2136592020083550316cwqKej Retrieved 10/26/10

Driving & Emotions Videos Defensive Driving Keep Emotions from Taking Over http://www.youtube.com/user/defensivedriving1#p/u/5/x8jf0cbusOI (1:20) National Road Safety Cage the Rage http://www.nationalroadsafety.org/page.php?id=16 (6:42) Click on web address to access video clips *Suggest full screen viewing NOTE: Some on - Check access Always preview video before showing to students Check content Check availability

Strong emotions can block your ability to judge and reason accurately. An emotion is a strong feeling. Emotions affect: Decision–making skills Ability to assess risk Strong emotions can block your ability to judge and reason accurately. Female image from: http://www.girlshealth.gov/feelings/ Driver image from: http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/121373/article.html Retrieved 10/26/10

Types of Emotions If left unchecked emotions could impair your driving abilities by reducing mental alertness or causing over stimulation. Excitement and happiness (big event) Anxiety (stressed) Depression (upset) Anger (may lead to road rage) Male image from: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/110033/article.html Retrieved 10/26/10

Mental & Physical Effects Mental effect of strong emotions: Interfere with ability to think, reason, and access driving situations Physical effect of strong emotions: Heartbeat speeds up, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, fatigue, headaches, and adrenaline rushes Obstructs the IPDE process Image from: http://helpingpsychology.com/how-adolescent-psychology-helps-with-teen-depression Retrieved 10/26/10

Emotions & Driving Behavior Strong emotions can affect thinking, reasoning, and decision-making. Excited – Drive inattentive, speed Angry – Drive aggressive, speed Sad/Depressed – Slow reaction time Anxious – Slow reaction time, distracted, difficulty identifying hazards Stressed – Drive aggressive, distracted Worried – Drive inattentive Frustrated – Drive aggressive, speed Images from: http://www.feelingsunlimited.com/Poster.html Retrieved 10/27/10

Emotions and IPDE Identify Use visual search pattern to identify situation The successful use of the IPDE process requires total concentration on the driving task. Predict Use knowledge, judgment, and experience to predict Decide Decide to use one or more actions Image from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/unintentional_activity/2004/09_TeenDrivers.htm Retrieved 10/26/10 Execute Execute your decision

Passengers and Emotions Peer pressure can be a VERY strong force. You are responsible for the safety of your passengers. Black car image from: http://www.techmagnews.com/british-government-obvious-report-kids-gadgets-and-driving-dont-mix.html Red car image from: http://yourteenmag.com/2010/08/zoomsafer-software-prevents-cell-phone-use-while-driving/ Retrieved 10/26/10 When you are driving, you must be the leader and take control.

Risk Taking Your emotions have a big influence on the amount of risk you are willing to take. Mature, responsible drivers do not let their emotions cause them to take unnecessary risks. Female teen image from: http://teenautotracking.com/teen_tracking_features.htm Male teen image from: http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/19236678/responsible-young-drivers-should-be-rewarded/ Retrieved 10/26/10

Anger Anger is one of the hardest emotions to control. (respond with urge to fight, blocks rational thinking) Anger can impair all of your driving skills. “Finger” image from: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/110033/article.html Female image from: http://www.infrastructurist.com/category/automobiles/ Male image from: http://www.walletpop.com/insurance/auto/best-traffic-ticket-excuses/ Retrieved 10/26/10

Poor Driving Habits Actions that annoy, frustrate, or make other drivers angry: Blocking traffic (stopping in lane) Failing to yield (driving too slow) Tailgating (pressuring others) Running lights or stop signs Failing to use turn signals Passing, then cutting back sharply Drifting due to inattentiveness Parking inappropriately Blaring music or blasting horn Rear of white car image from: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/?searchStr=long+car Parking image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_g/1888983881/ Danger image from: http://www.mysafetysign.com/Safety-Signs/Machine-Service-Signs/Do-Not-Use-Sign/Related-Products-S-2697.aspx Retrieved 10/26/10

Aggressive Driving Aggressive driving is driving without regard for other’s safety (angry, impatient motorist or passenger). Male (green shirt) image from: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/15/national/main2803439.shtml Black car image from: http://bikerbotanica.com/?cat=4 Arm out image from: http://www.dailybeerreview.com/2010_01_01_archive.html Retrieved 10/26/10 Some drivers climb into the anonymity of a vehicle and take frustrations out on others.

Statistics The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that aggressive driving accounts for: One-third of all crashes Two-thirds of the resulting fatalities EXAMPLES: Speeding to run red lights Tailgating Rear end image from: http://www.livsimpl.com/2008/07/15/how-to-avoid-rear-ending-someone-and-getting-rear-ended/ Intersection image from: http://www.totalcarcrashes.com/2009/crash-at-the-intersection/ Retrieved 10/26/10

Road Rage Video Click on web address to access video clips Rules of the Road Road Rage http://www.5min.com/Video/In-Car-Introduction---Road-Rage-145243743 (3:43) Always preview video before showing to students Check content Check availability 5min Image from: http://www.5min.com “Lab” image from: http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-About-Vehicle-Balance-145242524 Video cover image from: http://www.pegasusdrivingschool.com/dvd_compare.htm Retrieved: 10/07/10 Click on web address to access video clips *Suggest full screen viewing

Types of Aggressive Drivers There are three (3) types of aggressive drivers: Do you see someone you know? Quiet Passive Verbal Yelling Epic Road Rage Quiet image from: http://www.5min.com/Video/In-Car-Introduction---Road-Rage-145243743 Verbal image from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/200901/think-long-and-hard-why Epic image from: http://trafficscoop.com/?page_id=16

Quiet Aggressive Drivers Passive Quiet Quiet Aggressive Driver Exceeds speed limit Brakes to scare tailgater Cruises in passing lane Closes gap to deny entry

Verbal Aggressive Drivers Yelling Verbal Verbal Aggressive Driver Yells and insults Gestures and stares Honks horn Speeds past then revs engine

Epic Aggressive Drivers Road Rage Epic Epic Aggressive Driver Cuts off and blocks others Chases and deliberately bumps another Attempts to run off road Gets out of vehicle to confront

Road Rage Road rage is driving with the intent to harm others. Verbal and/or physical assault Intentionally hits pedestrian or vehicle Iron image from: http://www.aaafoundation.org/multimedia/photolibrary/photopage.cfm Fighting image from: http://steigerlaw.typepad.com/photos/road_rage/road_rage_tire_iron.html Yelling image from: http://www.shadetreemechanic.com/ara_avoid_road_rage.htm Retrieved 10/27/10

Avoid Road Rage Accept that the road is shared with others. Give yourself plenty of time to get to destination Leave plenty of space between you and others Avoid raising adrenaline levels when driving Change your thinking, “It’s not about you” Accept that you can’t change others Light image from: http://www.aaroads.com/california/bl-015a_ca.html SUV image from: http://www.aaafoundation.org/multimedia/photolibrary/photopage.cfm

Avoiding Conflict Take an honest look at your own driving behavior. Are you an annoying driver? Blocking traffic (stopping in lane) Failing to yield (driving too slow) Tailgating (pressuring others) Running lights or stop signs Failing to use turn signals Passing, then cutting back sharply Drifting due to inattentiveness Parking inappropriately Blaring music or blasting horn Image from: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/03/drivers_beware_no_red_light_ca.html Retrieved 10/27/10

Dealing with Road Rage When dealing with others, keep yourself out of harms way: Follow the rules of the road Don’t respond to aggression Avoid eye contact Get out the way If pursued, drive to police station or well-lit crowded place with lots of potential witnesses to get help Anger image from: http://www.actnow.com.au/Opinion/Road_rageits_time_to_stop_before_you_honk.aspx Female image from: http://www.themuslimwoman.org/page/41 Retrieved 10/27/10

Avoid Road Rage Videos Click on web address to access video clips Steering Your Straight Road Rage http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/ShawTips/ShawTips.html (3:40) Insurance Information Institute Road Rage! http://www2.iii.org/video/road-rage.html (1:45) Worst Case Scenario Road Rage http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/worst-case-scenario-road-rage.html (1:33) Click on web address to access video clips *Suggest full screen viewing Always preview video before showing to students Check content Check availability

Steps to Reducing Risk Your car is not an extension of yourself. It’s a mode of transportation, that demands your full attention when sharing the road. Plan ahead. Extra time provides a calmer drive. Turn down the music. Concentrate on driving. Use restaurant etiquette. Have good manners. Remember – “It’s not about you.” Don’t take things personally. Female image from: http://www.safermotoring.co.uk/staying-safe--female-drivers.html Retrieved 10/27/10

Coping with Emotions To help mange your emotions: Delay driving when upset and unwind Ask someone else to drive When driving: Focus on driving task at hand Follow the rules of the road Use the IPDE process to anticipate Adjust your expectations of others Do not challenge aggressive drivers Image from: http://www.edupics.com/coloring-picture-emotions-i9661.html Retrieved 10/27/10

Did You Know Final Thoughts Studies show that over 85% of angry drivers claim that they would not have chosen to escalate the situation if they would have gotten some sign of apology from the other motorist. Poster image from: http://complianceandsafety.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=7670 Retrieved: 10/26/10

Test Your Knowledge If another driver “cuts” in front of you, it would be best if you: Brake suddenly Take you foot off the gas Accelerate to avoid being cut off Blow your horn and yell at the driver Answer: B

Test Your Knowledge This warning sign means: Road ramp ahead Road narrows ahead Road under water ahead Low clearance ahead Answer: D Image from: http://www.trafficsign.us/w12.html Retrieved 12/03/10

Test Your Knowledge If a pedestrian crosses the street at a corner with no marked crosswalk: Slow down and try to go around him Give the person the right-of-way Honk your horn to give him notice that you are coming through Stop before the crosswalk Answer: B