Psychology 409A-November 2005
My Seventh Outline of
Assigned
By Gemma Clayson
"Older versus Younger Driving Generations"
James, Dr.
Instructions for this activity are found at: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
Concept One: Roadrageous
A. Roadrageous is a video driver education course that was designed to teach drivers the proper behavioral self-modification techniques when behind the wheel. It focuses on developing self-control and problem solving while driving.
B. This program is important in teaching drivers the three-step program, which Dr. James recognizes as the behavioral method for "learning to learn" new driving skills. With this program drivers can activate their "driving conscience" and will learn to develop a greater awareness of their emotions, feelings, and thoughts when behind the wheel.
C. I believe this video course is an important driver education development for our current generation and those to come. Driving is more than just the "doing" and it is important for our society to recognize that emotions and thoughts control our actions when we drive. Self-witnessing yourself when behind the wheel is a necessary step in driver self-improvement and education.
Concept Two: An Older Generation
A. Senior motorists make up 13% of the population. People 65 and older who are behind the wheel have their own driving concerns and the rest of the driving population have concerns about them. These elderly drivers have to make adjustments that may be challenging their personal philosophy and ideology.
B. Other drivers in this growing driving society have concerns about older drivers traveling "obnoxiously slow" in a passing lane, refusing to move over to the slower lane. This behavior can be considered aggressive, but younger drivers need to be aware of the "local norms" that have been established that elderly drivers may not be aware of. Some frustrations elderly drivers experience are: small street signs that have small letters making it difficult for elderly drivers to read, an overload of information on superhighways, and sometimes their own insufficient self-confidence.
C. Since the number of older drivers will increase dramatically over the next two decades, there is an absolute need for varying age groups to understand each other. Both elder and younger drivers need to develop a greater tolerance for each other's diversity.
Concept Three: Lifelong Driver Education
A. In response to the concerns elderly drivers have voiced, the American Automobile Association (AAA), the AARP, and the National Safety Council have proposed to offer a refresher course for elderly drivers.
B. Offering this course and other tests (such as a physical exam) does not reliably predict how well a driver will operate their vehicle. One thing that is for certain is that older drivers have more experience and manage their emotions better than younger drivers. With those advantages and a proposed option to take a refresher course, the lifelong driver education program may be a starting point for evolving a viable universal delivery system.
C. I believe this proposed program could be beneficial for an older generation, but I have more support for awareness. If younger drivers are more aware of the stress and concern their older generation is experiencing , they may be more supportive in the long run.
Related Web Links:
1. http://www.nsc.org/issues/driving/JSR 431-439.pdf - A potential tool for helping older adults drive safely longer
2. http://www.drdriving.org/elderly/ -Reality of fatality statistics for older drivers
3. http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/05/0615olderdrivers.html -Changes advocated in license renewals for elderly drivers
Class Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm
My Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2005/clayson/home.htm