PSYCHOLOGY 409A, Tuesday January 31, 2006
Outline 2:
Common Stressors and Why Intervention Hasn’t Worked
By Lincoln James Whyte
James, Leon (2002). Dealing with stress, aggression and pressure in the vehicle. In Rothe, J. Peter (ed.), Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer (pp. 21- 25, 28- 30). Edmonton: University of Alberta Press.
Instructions for this activity are found
at: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/g24-oral1.htm
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
Concept 1: Common Stressors
When automobiles and freeways became abundant Americans became free to travel around the country relatively easy. It is this sense of freedom and independence that is related to the automobile that brings about many stressors that can create hostility and aggressiveness. Some of the things that restrict our sense of freedom and cause stress are:
1) Immobility- Because driving is a relatively non- physically exertive activity, much of the body stays stationary and does not move. The restriction and constriction leads to a build up of tension.
2) Constriction- The thought that you can freely move about wherever you want in your vehicle is common, but in reality it is not. Drivers are restricted and confined to the streets and highways that they drive on. When there is heavy traffic or some other obstruction slowing their progress they tend to feel a loss of their freedom in the form of constriction and restriction. As a result anxiety levels rise and for some this leads to dangerous and aggressive maneuvers, such as swerving in and out of lanes, in order to try to free them selves from the obstacle.
3) Regulation- Because of the extreme dangers that vehicles produce; driving is heavily regulated by the government and enforced by the law. These regulations further take away from a driver’s sense of freedom. Having a car capable of speeds of well over 100 miles but being restricted to 35 miles an hour poses many driver’s to disregard the laws that exist for their own safety.
4) Lack of control- The lack of control is another causer of stress which often leads to the venting of anger towards others. Because we cannot control the cars around us or the flow of traffic it puts us in a position where we cannot create a favorable outcome.
It is because of these and many other common stressors that we need to learn how to cope with the stress, anger, and frustration that we encounter on the road. It is common for people to consider these stressors as the causes or “triggers” to our anger, but this is not the case. With the proper training it is possible to prevent the anger and anxiety related to driving.
Concept 2: Why Intervention Has Not Worked
Although the number of traffic accidents resulting in injury and death has decreased slightly over the past several decades much more is needed to be done. The average number of deaths a year in the 1950’s was 50, 000. This number has reduced to around 40, 000 in the 1990’s. Some of the reasons for the reduction are:
1) More and better roads
2) Better designed cars ie. safety features
3) Better emergency medical services and infrastructure on highways and streets
4) Better law enforcements
5) Mandated driver and safety education in schools
6) More sophisticated transportation- management systems
7) Economic incentives ie. lower insurance rates
Some reasons why roads are still unsafe:
1) Cultural norm of competitiveness
2) Time constraints leading to rushing and breaking traffic laws
3) Lack of training drivers in emotional self- control by driving schools
4) The media’s portrayal of aggressive driving being fun and accepted
5) Risk homeostasis
It seems that all aspects of driving are improving the safety on the roads, except for the drivers themselves. No matter how safe the roads and vehicles become, an unskilled, or aggressive driver can create danger for others.
Related Links:
1) Traffic Fatalities Hit 13 Year High
http://www.saferoads.org/press/press2004/pr_HarrisPoll7-12-04.htm Although the increase in vehicle and road safety, to name a couple, has decreased the number of traffic fatalities drivers themselves are still responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles on the roads. Without skilled drivers the roads and vehicles will never be completely safe.
2) Driving You Crazy
http://www.new-mindmachines.com/koldtv/drivingstress.html Backed up traffic in a construction zone is just one example of the many stressful situations that we encounter in our daily driving routines and being able to detect and manage our stress levels are important in keeping ourselves and others out of danger.
3) Fast and the Furious
http://www.thefastandthefurious.com/main.html Movies and the other forms of media give bad examples to drivers as to what is acceptable on the road. Movies such as “The Fast and the Furious” and its sequel are just a couple of examples of how people learn to model negative driving behaviors seen on TV.
My Home Page: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409as2006/whyte/home.htm
G24 Class Home Page: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/classhome-g24.htm