Outline of My Second Reading
In the Vehicle
“Dealing with stress, aggression and pressure in the vehicle”
Dr. Leon James
Driving lessons, University of Alberta Press, 2002, pages 21-34
By Jessica Lacy

I. Driving has two distinct components which are omnipresent in the vehicle
1. Predictability
A. For example: keeping up steady speed
a. promotes safety behind the wheel and on the roads
2. Unpredictability
A. For example: changing lanes without letting other drives aware of the move
a. promotes hazards, elevates anxiety and encourages dangerous driving
B. Promotes aggression behind the wheel
a. immobility h. multitasking
b. constriction i. denying our mistakes
c. regulation j. cynicism
d. lack of control k. loss of objectivity
e. being put in danger l. venting
f. territoriality m. unpredictability
g. diversity n. ambiguity
o. lack of emotional intelligence
II. Aggression is linked to environment, personality, and social factors
1. Aggressive drivers tend to berate others for their actions
a, aggression is justified and deserved
2. Aggression is a part of culture and lifestyle
a. irrational and disruptive behavior is socially accepted
b. aggression driving is a learned habit obtained in childhood
3. Aggression is enforced by the increase in:
a. congestion
b. urbanization
c. dual family income
d. workplace downsizing that increases crowding
e. family discord
f. job dissatisfaction
e. physical illness
III. Driving psychology
1. Driving norms are involved in the affective, cognitive and sensorimotor aspects of every driver. Aggressive drivers:
a. value negatives and reject positives
b. incorrectly evaluate situations or the intentions of others
c. make errors pertaining to the physical aspect of driving
My home page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409af2004/lacy/home.htm
Helpful links: http://www.drdriving.org/articles/principles.htm
http://www.webcom.com/~wutka/html/driving.html