Emotions and Driving

1. Emotions and Driving NV Driver Education Curriculum Unit 8: Personal Factors Influencing Operator Performance Presentation 1 of 5

2. 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?

3. 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

4. Emotions 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.

5. Types of Emotions If left unchecked emotions could impair your driving abilities by reducing mental alertnessorcausing over stimulation. • Excitement and happiness (big event) • Anxiety (stressed) • Depression (upset) • Anger (may lead to road rage)

6. 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

7. 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

8. Emotions and IPDE The successful use of the IPDE process requires total concentration on the driving task. Identify Use visual search pattern to identify situation Predict Use knowledge, judgment, and experience to predict Decide Decide to use one or more actions Execute Execute your decision

9. Passengers and Emotions • Peer pressure can be a VERY strong force. • You are responsible for the safety of your passengers. When you are driving, you must be the leader and take control.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Aggressive Driving Aggressive driving is driving without regard for other’s safety (angry, impatient motorist or passenger). Some drivers climb into the anonymity of a vehicle and take frustrations out on others.

14. 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

15. Road Rage Video Rules of the Road Road Rage http://www.5min.com/Video/In-Car-Introduction---Road-Rage-145243743 (3:43) • Click on web address to access video clips • *Suggest full screen viewing

16. Types of Aggressive Drivers There are three (3) types of aggressive drivers: Do you see someone you know? Quiet Verbal Epic Yelling Road Rage Passive

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

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

19. Epic Aggressive Drivers 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 Epic

20. Road Rage Road rage is driving with the intent to harm others. • Verbal and/or physical assault • Intentionally hits pedestrian or vehicle

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Avoid Road Rage Videos 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

25. 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.

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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

29. Test Your Knowledge This warning sign means: • Road ramp ahead • Road narrows ahead • Road under water ahead • Low clearance ahead

30. 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