My 8th Outline (not oral)
Reflecting on Ourselves
This is a presentation of Reference 4: Psychological Aspects of Traffic Flow
Written by Dr. Leon James
www.drdriving.com
By: Leanna Bergeron

Instructions for this oral presentation are found at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy22/g22-oral.htm 

I. Continuous Education

A. Regardless of age or experience, continuous review of driving laws and road rules can be beneficial to everyone

 

B. Some suggested practices for continual improvement of driving habits:

            1. Stopping in front of the white line at stop signs

            2. Using the turn signal

            3. Driving with greater awareness

            4. Creating positive mental scenarios rather than negative

            5. Using brakes in consideration of others

            6. Making a safe right turn

 

C. My Opinion: I have always been an advocate for life-long driver’s education. I even believe that we should be required to re-take the written road test every 10-12 years. It is very easy to forget the little things such as stopping in front of the white line, especially as we get older.

 

II. Why do we think that way?

A. As drivers concerned with getting to our destination we tend to develop many irrational reasons for our driving.

 

B. Broken down into 2 groups 

  I. Self-imposed anxieties about hurrying in traffic

            EX: 1. “I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry up” (scaring yourself)

                   2. “Why are these cars going so slow” (encouraging your impatience)

            Others= disregard for the rights of others, paranoia, increasing stress, etc.

 

   II. Dangerous similies for vehicle maneuvering

            EX: 1. “Let’s just squeeze in” (underrates space requirements)

                    2. “Fly over those speed bumps!” (identifying with speedy act)

            Others= accepting your love for speed, justifying speed, being proud of something

 Bad, etc.

 

C. My Opinion: I believe if we can acknowledge that we do these things they will become easier to recognize and correct while we’re on the highway. We need to concentrate on getting to our destination safely- not making up lies that justify our bad behavior.

 

 

III. Rehabilitative Ideas in Driving

A. These are ways to counter our irrational ideas while behind the wheel

            EX:      1. “Nice n’ slow…that’s the way” (speed control)

                        2. “Have some patience” (general impulse control)

                        3. “I won’t speed up. I’ll let him get in front of me (altruistic exchange)

                       

B. All these cognitive exchanges can be very beneficial to us as drivers. They allow drivers to grasp and maintain control of their emotions.

 

C. My Opinion: I think it is important that drivers try to maintain control of their emotions and cognitions at all times. By becoming a supportive driver we can learn control behind the wheel- which may save our lives.

 

Links:

http://www.gredc.org/LLEdCourseSchedule.htm

http://www.drdriving.org/articles/lifelong-driver-education-article.htm

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/tribeast/previous/s_68075.html

 

My home page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2004/bergeron/home.htm