Module 8 Lesson 1: Emotions

Some positive ways to handle road rage in other drivers, as well as in you are: a. Be tolerant b. Be forgiving and realize that you make mistakes too c. Be helpful and courteous to every driver, even rude ones d. All of the above

d. All of the above

If an aggressive driver is following you, you should _____________________. a. assume he/she is dangerous b. try to make at least 4 right turns c. never get out of the car d. go to the nearest police station e. all of the above

e. all of the above

When you are driving, you must be the leader and take control.

• Anger is one of the hardest emotions to control. Anger can impair all of your driving skills. • 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 frustration out on others.

Epic Aggressive Drivers

• Cuts off and blocks others • Chases and deliberately bumps another • Attempts to run off road • Gets out of vehicle to confront

Quiet Aggressive Drivers

• Exceeds speed limit • Brakes to scare tailgater • Cruises in passing lane • Closes gap to deny entry

Verbal Aggressive Drivers

• Yells and insults • Gestures and stares • Honks horn • Speeds past then revs engine

3 types of agressive drivers:

1. Quiet: Passive 2. Verbal: Yelling 3. Epic: Road Rage

Road rage

:driving with the intent to harm others. • Verbal and/or physical assault • Intentionally hits pedestrian or vehicle

Avoiding 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

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

Emotions

An emotion is a strong feeling. Emotions can affect decision making skills and the ability to assess risk. Strong emotions can block your ability to judge and reason accurately. Emotions can impair your driving abilities by reducing mental alertness or causing over stimulation, if left unchecked. Examples of types of emotions are the following: excitement and happiness, anxiety, depression, and anger. Emotions have mental and physical effects. Mental effects of strong emotions interfere with the ability to think, reason, and access driving situations. Physical effects of strong emotions are: increased heart rate, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, fatigue, headaches, and adrenaline rushes.

Aggressive driving | how to control your emotions

Anger is the hardest emotion to control. You want to respond with the urge to fight and it blocks rational thinking. Anger can impair all of your driving skills. If you should become angry while driving, or encounter other drivers who are angry, the following are a few options: • Think positively. • Leave the punishment to the authorities. Your acts may only aggravate the situation. • Model good behavior. • Consider that other driver may have good reason for their actions. • If you can pull over safely, do so. Breathe. Give yourself time to calm down, and/or time to get away from the angry driver. Aggressive driving is driving without the regard for other's safety. Some drivers get into a vehicle and take their frustrations out on others. Aggressive driving can cause road rage. According to a study published last summer by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, "road rage" is defined as "an incident in which an angry or impatient motorist or passenger intentionally injures or kills another motorist, passenger, or pedestrian, or attempts to injure or kill another motorist, passenger, or pedestrian, in response to a traffic dispute, altercation, or grievance." The definition also includes incidents where "an angry or vengeful motorist drives his or her vehicle into a building or other structure or property."

Aggressive driving and road rage is the same.

False

Aggressive driving is NOT considered reckless driving.

False

Emotions do not affect your decision making skills.

False

Just because you are stressed or angry, you are not at risk when driving.

False

Emotions & Driving Behavior

Strong emotions can affect thinking, reasoning, and decision-making. • Excited - Drive inattentive (not paying attention), 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

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

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

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

Accidents resulting from road rage can be avoidable.

True

Anger is the hardest emotion to control.

True

Anger may make someone respond with the urge to fight.

True

Best thing to do with an aggressive drive is just to get out their way.

True

Do not even make a friendly gesture to an aggressive driver.

True

Every year over 26,000 deaths [in the U.S.] occur due to aggressive driving.

True

Jail time is a consequence of aggressive driving.

True

One half of all accidents involve aggressive driving.

True

Peer pressure

can be a VERY strong force! You are responsible for the safety of your passengers!