Psychology 409a 10/27/05

My Fifth Outline of Assigned Readings

By Ashley Hooks

Improving Bad Driving in Canada

Reference: www.safety-council.org Canada Safety Council: Canada’s Voice and Resource for Safety; 2005

Instructions for this activity are found at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

My Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2005/hooks/home.htm

The G23 Class Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm

I. Aggressive Driving in Canada

A. The Canada Safety Council has an article talking about aggressive driving in their country and how it is increasing. They say that increased congestion on many main roads has been causing more aggression to occur. Other causes of aggression they pointed out that the public reported in a survey was annoyance with other drivers using mobile devices, reading, or doing something else distracting in the car. Also, drowsy driving was a factor that created aggressive driving.

B. Some statistics:

1. 90% of polled Canadians say that traffic congestion can fuel aggressive driving

2. 40% say they become frustrated when stuck in traffic

3. 84% admit to aggressive acts such as running through yellow lights or driving over the speed limit

4. 72% believe that aggressive driving is increasing

5. 65% believe that traffic congestion continues to worsen.

C. These statistics are very significant I think because these results are no surprise when you look at the other cultures we have studied in this class. It seems to be a worldwide problem (aggressive driving) and many people know it exists. Some of the same factors that might influence aggressive driving are apparent across most cultures we have looked at. Yet, most people who recognize aggressive driving in themselves and in other drivers rarely do anything to change it.

II. 2003 Edition Defensive Driving Course

A. This is an online course that is targeted to companies who use vehicles every day as a part of their job. It helps the employees that drive every day on the job to be more aware of road safety, and is especially designed for the adult learner. This course contains a 72-page manual and the student receives a graduation card and certificate after they complete it.

B. The safety council of Canada created this online course to teach the companies who are constantly on the road to have more awareness and safety. When employees drive constantly, occupational safety is critical, because company insurance rates can skyrocket if there is a crash. Also, indirect costs like recuperation time, restaffing, retraining, and lost productivity can be consequences of bad driving by the employees.

C. I think this course is a good idea especially since it is geared for the adult learner. Those who have been driving for their job for a long time could have formed bad habits that might be hard to change, but if they take this course it could be very helpful to those people. I never really thought of how many people drive on a daily basis for their job, and it would make sense for those employees to be required to go through intensive training on how to drive safely.

III. Defensive Driving Uses Less Fuel

A. If you drive safely and smoothly, according to the Canadian Safety Council, you will use less fuel, as much as 30 percent or more. Defensive driving habits enable smooth driving because you’re not jerking around or going too fast.

B. Saving gas is especially important in companies with employees who drive because the companies are the ones who pay for all their gas. Practical applications of driving safely and saving gas could be following speed limits and a 3-second following distance. In truck drivers, the employers who analyze the drivers’ performances recognize that a driver with the best safety record also uses the least amount of fuel.

C. I believe that saving gas within a company is very important. With prices fluctuating nonstop with gasoline, I can definitely see how companies are trying to save on the gas their employees are using so that they do not have increased costs.