EMOTIONS AND DRIVING

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EMOTIONS AND DRIVING

• Unit 7

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Emotions affect our every thought and action.
We are not able to separate ourselves from our
emotional state. We drive as we are.

• Emotions

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The two mental effects of Emotions are A.
Distraction from the driving task. Our thoughts
tend towards the cause of the emotion. B.
Reaction to events around us. If we are upset, we
may tend to react in a more aggressive manner to
others around us.
Mental effects of emotions
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We are affected by emotions physically as well.
A. Heart rate increases B. Digestion slows down
C. Your body may release adrenaline as it
prepares for a fight. D. Your body may produce
coagulants in your blood system also preparing
for a fight.
Physical effects of emotions
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Emotions range from highs to lows, all of which
affect us and our ability to drive safely. They
include A. Anger B. Fear C. Anxiety D.
DepressionE. Discouragement F. SorrowG. Even
excitement can distract us
Emotions and the effects of each on a driver's
concentration
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A. Recognize in yourself when you are not "at
your best". Take a break or even let someone else
drive. B. Recognize that other highway users are
emotional people too and that they may have had a
very bad day. We will look at "road rage" in a
minute. C. Drive in an organized manner. Use all
the correct driving procedures so that when your
mind is not fully concentrating on the driving
task, you are still following correctly, going a
proper speed, using your turn signals, traveling
in the right lane, etc. out of habit.
Ways to reduce the effect of emotions on driving
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The goal of emotional control is to recognize
and understand your mental and physical
limitations and drive within those limits.
Emotional control
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Road rage is an increasing problem on our
highways today. There are thousands of road rage
problems each year in the US.
How to reduce the risk of road rage while driving
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How to reduce the risk of road rage while driving

• Do not challenge other drivers, do not make eye
  contact, get way from the situation, even dial
  911, HP, or SP and get help.
• Drive to the police station.
• Do not get out of your car.
• Keep in mind the other person may be armed and if
  upset, dangerous.
• For more information on road rage see
  http//www.aaafts.orgtIest/research/RoadRageFinal
  .htm

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There are many ways drivers increase their risk
when driving. They include A. Speeding B.
Following too close C. Distractions such as 1)
Radio 2) CD player 3) Cell phone
Risk factors people take in automobiles
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Risk factors people take in automobiles

• Vehicle type
• Vehicle conditions
• Drag racing
• Assuming right of way at intersections
• Passing other vehicles
• Not using restraint systems
• Railroad grade crossings
• Driving while impaired

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"Lifetime risk" is a realization that taking
risks are cumulative. The more you take a given
risk, the more likely it is to "catch up with
you".
Lifetime risk"
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A. Select a safer vehicle B. Slowdown C.
Increase following distance D. Drive sober E.
Wear restraints properly F. Use headlights day
and night G. Avoid peer pressure in the vehicle
H. Select the proper lane for travel I. Avoid
high congestion areas
Means of reducing risk while driving
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An unsafe situation can be caused by many
factors, environmental or human. These include
those addressed above. The three outcomes of an
unsafe situation are An accident with its
consequences death, injury, property damage A
near accident (or near miss) can be a learning
experience A potential accident with no apparent
consequences. Here we learn that risks have
little or no consequences so we are willing to
take the same risk again or even a more dangerous
risk the next time.
Outcomes of an unsafe situation