Psychology-409a- April 27, 2006
Driver Skill: Performance and Behavior
By: Adam Stewart
Peter Rothe, Editor (2002). Driving
Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer. (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press). Pp. 211-219
Instructions for this activity are found at: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/g24-oral1.htm
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
I.
Driver Skill.
A. Skill is defined as a learned ability to perform some task effectively and efficiently. Skills can be trainable in order to improve upon them. Driving skill is actually made up of many different types of skills, which include mental skills and activities like awareness and vigilance. A driver must be able to manage and monitor these skills.
B. Skills are limited for several reasons. First there are limitations to how much information a driver can take in. Second, these skills can vary between individuals and within the same person under circumstances.
C. Experienced
drivers have a skill advantage because they have had years of practice to hone
their skills. These drivers have
more control over themselves and are more aware of their surroundings.
II.
Traits of
avoiding collisions.
A. There are eight traits that a person develops in order to become a better and more aware driver.
1. Steering control
2. Speed control
3. Parallel processing/multitasking
4. Visual search/scanning
5. Hazard detection
6. Risk assessment
7. Decision making
8. Risky lifestyle and risk-taking
B. Driving skills cover a wide variety of topics and can make a person become a more aware and emotionally responsive drive. These skills interact with the driverŐs threefold self to create a driver who can adapt to any situation and can avoid road rage.
Related Links:
http://www.smartdriver.co.nz/Articles/Emotional%20Intelligence.htm
This is an article from SmartDriver.com and it discusses different realms of driving. It talks about oppositional driving, defensive driving, and supportive driving. This website is from New Zealand, but seems that it could have come from the Dr. Driving site as well.
http://www.drivingskills.on.ca/
This is a website for a driving school in Canada. It claims that it can make people better and safer drivers through taking a course. It specializes in emergency control skills and techniques.
http://familydoctor.org/487.xml
This is a site for seniors who are concerned about their driving. When someone is old his or her skills begin to diminish. This is a checklist with questions for seniors to reflect on their driving habits to see if they can still be a safe and practical driver.