My Fifth Non-Oral Outline

Supportive Driving

Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare, Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl, Published by Prometheus Books, 2000, p. 167-177.

By Robert Lee

I. Benefits of Supportive Driving

a. Supportive driving is a style that emphasize on adjusting to the great diversity of highway users

b. Steering clear of the emotional dangers of road rage thinking.

c. You’re driving experience is a lot less stressful.

d. You’re environment is a lot less dangerous.

II. Motorist-to-Motorist Communication

a. Communication makes driving less dangerous and friendlier.

b. There are seven different things you can do to communicate with other drivers.

i. Apology

1. if you unintentionally inconvenience another driver hold two fingers in a “V” position, palm out

ii. Slow down, danger ahead

1. if you see an obstacle on the road and you would like to alert other motorists ahead about the obstacle turn your headlights on and off, to alert traffic approaching you from the rear activate your brake lights or extend your left arm and motion downward

iii. Lane courtesy

1. if you wish to pass another vehicle that’s in the left lane, turn your left directional light on and off, 4 to 6 blinks at a time. If they do not respond turn on the left signal and briefly flash your headlights to gain their attention.

iv. Pull over for problem

1. if there’s a vehicle with lose luggage or a flat point out the problem area and then signal thumbs down.

v. Light problem

1. if you see a vehicle with a signal that’s been left on or a vehicle with a burnt out bulb open and close your hand touching thumb and fingertips together.

vi. Need assistance

1. if you need assistance, signal for help without conveying panic make a “t” by crossing one hand over the other.

vii. I understand

1. to acknowledge another motorists’ signal or to thank them give them the thumbs up.

III. Training for Supportive Driving

a. Be patient with others and yourself.

b. Acknowledge your mistakes.

c. Practice safe driving.

d. Hopefully by doing all these things they will be done back to you.

e. Remember there are three different levels of drivers.

i. Level one- oppositional drivers.

ii. Level-two- defensive drivers.

iii. Level-three- supportive drivers (the goal level).

Helpful Websites:

http://www.drdriving.org/courses/conference_paper.htm

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2004/sayo/report3.htm

http://www.healthylife.net/body/DrivHazArt.html

My Homepage:

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409as2005/lee/home.htm