Psychology 409A-November 2005
My Eighth Outline of
Assigned
By Gemma Clayson
“Driving and the Law”
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: Cost of Aggressive Driving Behaviors
A. Each year, national collisions due to aggressive driving are costing us $150 billion. Two thirds of these collisions are fatalities contributed to aggressive driving behaviors.
B. 28,000 deaths per year are too many lives lost that could have been prevented. In the late 1990’s, drunk driving was replaced by aggressive driving as the worst highway problem in our nation. It is scary to think that aggressive driving behaviors are now considered cultural norms.
C. The concept of aggressive driving behaviors costing our nation that huge amount of money is absolutely ridiculous. I believe that it is very important for our culture to recognize that this immense amount of money and high fatality rate are unnecessary.
Concept Two: Tackling Aggressive Driving
A. In 1999, there have been numerous legislative bills to address the aggressive driving concerns. It has been made clear that nearly every driver has feelings of rage and thoughts of retaliation from behind the wheel.
B. Health experts view road rage as a psychological disorder that can be treated with stress and anger management therapy. Simultaneously, new legislation has proposed to focus on the following:
1. K-12 driving psychology curriculum that targets emotional intelligence and self-assessment skills for drivers.
2. Children Against Road Rage (CARR) to help children steer clear of this aggressive driving cultural norm.
3. Quality Driving Circles (QDCs): small driver support groups that encourage driver self-improvement.
C. I believe this concept is very important. It is somewhat comforting for me to know that our government is interested in putting an end, or at least diminishing, this rising aggressive driving issue.
Concept Three: Police and Law Involvement
A. The Highway Safety Act of 1996 allows the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to fund traffic improvement programs implemented by state and local governments, including funding for police traffic services, roadway safety, emergency medical services, etc.
B.
The NHTSA issued an aggressive driving advisory
that tells motorists what to do. It was
intended to help people avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers and
support the law enforcement efforts to reduce road rage incidents. Reducing incidents of aggressive driving behaviors
reduces the psychological, physical, and financial burden that our society
bears. We would save money and enjoy a
safer, healthier community.
C.
I believe it is important for legislation to become
involved in enacting in aggressive driving bills to assist law enforcement
efforts to fight dangerous and illegal driving.
Combining enforcement with public awareness is a helpful technique used
by law enforcement.
Related Web Links:
My Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2005/clayson/home.htm
G23 Class Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm