Driving Psychology 409a November 18, 2006

Volunteer Activism, Court Monitoring, and the Workplace

By Rhiannon Tokita

Instructions for this activity are found at: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/g25-oral1.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

Citation: Peter Rothe, editor (2002). Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer. (Edmonton: University Of Alberta Press). Reviewing pgs. 161-192

I. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

a. Created out of concern about how much damage impaired driving caused the lives of so many people

b. Were alarmed by the leniency by which drunk drivers were treated by the criminal justice system

c. Primary reason for existence is to get rid of the killing and injuring because of impaired driving

d. Frustrated with the way impaired-driving charges are dealt with and the lenient sentences given by the court

II. Impaired Driving

a. One of the biggest threats to traffic safety

b. Some people in the judiciary system see impaired driving as an unfortunate accident and views the offenders as not “true” criminals

III. Court Monitoring

a. A way of studying how impaired-driving charges are dealt with in court

b. Done by observing proceedings in the courts for offenses that involve victims or reviewing court records outside of the courtroom

c. Feels that a physical presence in the courtroom by a volunteer can make a difference to the outcome of an impaired driving case

d. Has some proven positive effects on drinking and driving cases

e. A positive effect of court monitoring is the ability to put power into the hands of ordinary people

f. Court Volunteers

i. Are expected to behave and dress professionally at all times

ii. Are given a training manual including a list of dos and don’ts

iii. Are educated on the criminal-justice system and the court environment

IV. Driving and the Workplace

a. Highway travel is the largest cause of workplace related injuries and deaths

b. Motor vehicle trauma is a major cost to organizations and society

c. Organizational Costs

i. Lost time- employees lose wages and work time

ii. Sick leave- sometimes confused with residuals from accidents

iii. Temporary worker costs- causes reduced productivity and a considerable cost

iv. Insurance costs- can rise significantly when an accident occurs

v. Lawsuits- may have a risk of lawsuit and financial loss

vi. Reduced efficiency and productivity- flow of work is disrupted

vii. Reduce morale- contributes to lower efficiency and productivity

viii. Corporate image- may cause the public to wonder about the integrity of the company

d. Mission Possible @ Work

i. Was developed as a response to the escalation of traumatic traffic incidents

ii. Positive changes may be more effective if directed at social settings, such as the workplace

iii. Program addresses the importance of road trauma on and off the road

iv. A wellness program that uses prevention and accommodation strategies