PSY 409A Driving Psychology, March 17

PSY 409A Driving Psychology, March 17

Outline #7

Supportive Driving

Melanie Marciel

Leon James and Diane Nahl (2000). Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering

Clear of Highway Warfare. (Amherst, N.Y.: Promethus Books) Pages 167-178.

Instructions for this activity are found at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/g24-oral1.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

I. Introduction

A. Benefits of Supportive Driving

B. Motorist-To-Motorist Communication

C. Training for Supportive Driving

D. Come Out Swinging Positive

II. Benefits of Supportive Driving

A. It is recognizing and accepting a diversity of drivers and styles:

1. Local drivers versus visitors

2. Healthy drivers versus ill

3. Sober drivers versus those under the influences

B. They adjust their driving to suit the situation

C. It is understood that human beings want to feel accepted and respected (in all aspects, not just driving).

D. The larger our definition of what to tolerate, the less coerced we’ll feel during traffic situations:

1. Reduce stress

2. Supports a community spirit

3. Protects us from emotional or physical injury

E. The focus of supportive driving is to facilitate safe passage for everyone on the road.

F. Some people don’t understand that defensive thinking interferes with emotionally intelligent reasoning for drivers driving outside of the norm

III. Motorist-To-Motorist Communication

A. Drivers need to constantly be aware of other drivers in order to prevent an

accident

B. Waving someone is common, but no longer recommended because they have

been liable in some accidents.

C. In the late 1980s, the National Motorists Association proposed new motorists

signs:

1. For an apology- Hold two fingers in a V position

2. Slow down/Danger ahead- Turn headlights off and on/put left hand out downward.

3. Lane Courtesy- Turn left directional light on and off 4-6 times.

4. Pull over problem- Point to the direction of the problem then signal thumbs down.

D. Creating a universal motorists’ sign language will reduce ambiguity that can

lead to injury or death (like the one in England or the Youth Against Road

Rage).

IV. Training for Supportive Driving

A. Supportive driving focuses on facilitating other drivers’ efforts to accomplish

what they want instead of competing against them

B. Sympathy brings out empathy and understanding, and deeper insights into

self and others.

V. Come Out Swinging Positive

A. Swinging positive means adopting an empathetic frame of mind and be

apologetic.

B. There are numerous encounters with angry drivers so it is best to have a

positive strategy to handle them.

C. Three philosophies that determine how people drive:

a. Level One: Oppositional Driving Philosophy- Involves intolerance of

driver diversity. Has an aggressive and hostile style. There is also a desire to retaliate against other drivers.

b. Level Two: Defensive Driving Philosophy- In this level we treat all

drivers the same way. We maintain a competitive attitude. We also feel stressed and resentful towards other drivers.

c. Level Three: Supportive Driving Philosophy- Drivers have a

supportive attitude toward other drivers. They tolerate pluralism and are able to shrink one’s emotional territory.

D. Zen driving helps the driver achieve inner equilibrium with the driving

ecosystem.

Road Rage

This is an interesting website because they give you tips on how to handle road rage exchanges with other drivers. They say that you should make a “sorry” sign. They stress that some form of an apology could seriously save you from accidents.

http://www.cnn.com/US/9708/26/road.ignorance/

Experts say ignorance contributes to road rage

This site is from a news group. They say that discourteous drivers often lead to bad road exchanges. They give some links to other sites that have tips on how to make various signs while driving (ex: slow down, accident, lights, etc.)

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6454

Clever cars can read road signs

This is another interesting website that has computers systems being installed in cars. They have programs in which the car would be able to detect various road signs, run the shape of the signs, and control the car based on the sign (ex: if computer recognizes a stop sign, it’ll make sure the car is slowing down).

My Homepage:

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409as2006/marciel/marciel-home.htm

G24 Class Home Page:

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/classhomeg24.htm