Psychology 409a, Nov. 16, 2005
My fifth Outline of Assigned Readings
By: Teroa Paselio
 
Reference 7: www.drivers.com/article/701 Hawaii’s courteous driving jamming traffic? 
 
Instructions for this activity are found at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm
 
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
 
Concept 1: Hawaii Drivers 
 A. This concept suggests that Hawaii drivers may be engaging in qualities that very well add to the ever growing traffic and frustration on our roads. Some are left thinking that Hawaiian drivers need to be more aggressive.
 B. One specific example I commonly see on the road is when one car is now keeping up with the flow of traffic and allowing too many cars to merge into the land. This polite gesture helps the cars get up front but it doesn’t help the line of cars in the back that ends up slowing down as well.
 C. This concept of Hawaii drivers being too cautious and courteous is interesting. I remember hearing a debate on the radio station while driving to school about this article. I think some of these qualities do affect traffic and that this concept does bring up a good point about our driving. 
 
Concept 2: Traffic Culture
 A. “a common set of values that the vast majority of drivers and other road users know about, understand, and practice.
 B. If there was a “culture of the roadway” I think it’s acceptance and implementation would be challenged. Hawaii, which is also known as the melting pot has a diversity of culture, and with these cultures come different norms of driving. However, the concept of having a traffic culture would tremendously benefit the flow of traffic.
 C. When I visited American Samoa, I noticed that there were only two lanes and no traffic lights. I also remember hearing the drivers honk instead of signal with your hands to let you through. I thought the honking was rather irritating and rude because they weren’t the norms I were used to. Imagine their traffic culture shock when they come to Hawaii and drive on the freeways and stop at the traffic lights and merge into lanes. I see the benefits of a traffic culture but imagine how much time it would take to educate outsiders.
 
Concept 3: Expanding our driving skills 
 A. In the age of technology our cars are becoming smarter and more advanced but driving expert Lawrence Lonero believes that we need to expand our driving skills even with the added technology to cars. The concept proposes that we gain “advanced skills in situational awareness, in knowing what’s going on around you and having the skills to deal with it…”.
 B. I think that the three fold self is a good example of gaining advanced skills in situational awareness. By engaging in the affective, cognitive and sensor motor domains, you can transfer your skills and experience in these situations and transfer them to situations that may arise.
 C. I agree with the concept of expanding our driving skills. If we were to continue driving with the skills we possess now and be closed minded about the concept of expanding our driving skills, our roads won’t be any safer even with technically smarter cars.
 
My Homepage: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2005/paselio/home.htm
 
The G23 Class Home page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm
 
http://www.familycar.com/Driving.htm
http://www.hawaiistories.com/archives/004805.shtml
http://www.drivinguniversity.com/hawaii-online-defensive-driving-traffic-school/honolulu.htm