A Review of
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
ÊDr. Leon James and Dr. Diane
Nahl
Prometheus Books 2000
by Brenda Dorador, Dec 2002
Ê
Section 1: The
Bookâs Overall Content
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This book discussed a number
of avenues and possible explanations for road rage and aggressive driving. Some
of the topics that I found to be most important in this book were found in
parts one and two of this book. The topics from part one are dealing with the
ãconflict mentalityä, and the topics in part two are discussing the ãdriving
psychology.ä These topics are: (part 1) Developing Emotional Literacy, Why
Driving Arouses Anger, Emotional Self-Control Behind the Wheel, Trigger Theory
of Road Rage, Passive-Aggressive Road Rage, (part 2) Overcoming Emotional
Hijacking, and Three Levels of Emotional Intelligence.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ The first
topic (found in part 1, chapter 1), titled ãDeveloping Emotional Literacy,ä is
the first step in everything that we do. In order for us to work on our weak
areas in our personality, we must first acknowledge that there is a weakness.
According to the author, emotional literacy teaches drivers to become aware of
and monitor consequences of emotions and thoughts behind the wheel (pg 38). If
drivers choose to lack acknowledgement of inappropriate behaviors and thoughts
while driving, then how will they ever get to the point where they will want to
change. Self-awareness is the first step.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ The next topic
of interest (part 1, chapter 2), titled ãWhy Driving Arouses Anger,ä offered
and listed conflicts drivers experience behind the wheel. The author identified
ãfifteen conflicting aspects of driving that act as stressors. The list
represents emotional challenges that are common occasions for expressing
hostility and aggressiveness on highways and streetsä (pg 52). These conflicts
were
between the internal emotions of the drivers, and the external environmental factors. The main element that drives these conflicts was anger, one of the basic human emotions (pg 55). Additionally, anger has been linked to aggressive behavior, thus leading to aggressive driving patterns in motorist.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ ãEmotional Self-Control Behind the Wheelä (part 1, chapter 2) is the next major topic. This area of the book stated how emotional self-control is the ability to regulate our emotions and is a learned skill with two main components (pg 62). The two components needed to regulate our emotions are self-appraisal and self-regulation. Both of these skills can be learned by anyone, and require discretion and control over emotional lives (pg 62). From this section, the reader can learn that ãlack of emotional awareness is a primary problem for motoristsä (pg 63). This section ends with these words: ãActions we take now determine in part how we feel later. Knowing this, we can exert control over our feelings behind the wheelä (pg 65).
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ In the ãTrigger Theory of Road Rageä (part 1, chapter 3), describes how drivers use excuses and justifications for their actions. ãPeople justify aggression by fabricating an illogical sequence: They provoked me. I canât help it. They deserved itä (pg 77). Statements such as these prove many drivers illogical thought process. Another important thing to remember about the trigger theory stated by the author was ãeveryone can list driving pet peeves on the road, the things other drivers do that get us going or push our hot buttons, and seem to act like triggersä (pg 77). Finally, we must also know that ãphysiologically, anger is a momentary flare-up that quickly dies downä (pg 77).
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ I also found the ãPassive-Aggressive Road Rageä (part 1, chapter 4) to be an important topic in this book. This type of road rage is defined in the book as ãa reactionary protest against feeling thwarted, coerced, mistreated, or repeatedly wronged, characterized by feelings of rancor and resentment against other driversä (pg 85). The intent of this particular type of rage is to be opposing and obstructive towards others. This type of behavior can be viewed by others as inconsiderate, and have a tendency to arouse others emotions in a bad way.
Part two of the book takes the reader in the avenue of the Driving Psychology. Within this section, I was able to find two topics that were of most importance to me. The first section was ãOvercoming Emotional hijackingä (part 2, chapter 5). This section describes how neural explosions in our brain turn our rational thinking into emotional thinking. ãThere is ordinarily a harmonizing balance between the emotional and the rational brain functions.ä ãWhen drivers vent their anger, feeling self-righteous indignation for being wronged, the power of the emotion alters normal thinking and judgmentä (pg 113). Since our rational thinking turns into emotional thinking, our thinking becomes equivalent to our feelings, which usually doesnât turn out to be in our best interest.
The last major topic I found to be a prevalent aspect of this book was the ãThree Levels of Emotional Intelligenceä (part 2, chapter 5). The section mainly discussed the emotional fitness levels that drivers appear to be in. Within the first level, the driver exhibits oppositional feelings and is thinking irrationally. In the second level, the driver has defensive feelings, but is able to think logically. The third emotional fitness level is one that would benefit everyone the most. In this level, the motorist/driver illustrates supportive feelings and has prosocial thoughts towards other drivers. Something that we as drivers need to remember is that ãdriving more intelligently is the result of positive feelings and right thoughts coming together in effective actionsä (pg 117).
I was able to see a progression within these topics. Starting from acknowledgement within the driver of poor driving behaviors, down to the ability of differentiating between you thought level and your level of feeling, all the topics were correlated and equally affected each other. These topics were of the most interest to me, mostly because they discussed the emotional and psychological aspects of driving, which is something that is very relevant in driving, but often is overlooked. These topics were familiar to me because I heard them be presented and discussed by students in my class.
I think this book would be of interest to all drivers with a willingness to want to change poor driving patterns and behaviors. I think some sections of this book should be incorporated into all driving education classes, that way it will be read by all new drivers, and should continue throughout the driving community. I believe all drivers can benefit from at least one thing in this book: having an awareness that road rage is a problem within our society. Not only will it help identify some poor driving behaviors, but it can also help create a level of self-awareness within the driver.
Section
2: The Bookâs Importance
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ Some of the specific problems this book discusses are the lack of awareness in driving behaviors, the lack of emotional self-control and intelligence among drivers, and the negative affects this has on other drivers and passengers in our cars. Some possible solutions that are offered to overcome these pitfalls are self awareness exercises, alternatives to emotional thinking, and also provides information on what behavior is acceptable and prosocial, and what behaviors are detrimental to our mental and physical health. I believe that the awareness exercises and checklists offered at the ending of the chapters helps put problems (inappropriate behavior) in perspective.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ The bookâs topics are relevant to public concern because not too many drivers aware of the emotional aspect of driving within themselves and others. This lack of knowledge leaves area for destructive behavior and actions to arise. It is dangerous to disregard awareness of emotions and feelings when being in environment where everyone has to share (i.e. the road, follow the rules). As drivers, it is important that we are aware of our surroundings, and this includes others emotions and feelings as well as our own. Driving is not just a motor skill, and this is what we need to remember. These topics are also relevant to the field of psychology because of the strong emotional involvement that affects many drivers. Driving has the ability to affect the cognitive aspect of the human dimension.
One of the broad concerns that is addressed, is the lack of emotional awareness and the affects it has on driver safety. People usually arenât motivated to discuss the emotional aspect of situations, thus it often goes overlooked. By continually doing this, we neglect one of the most important elements of driving. I think the book does answer these concerns by educating the students and general public extensively on these issues.Ê For a major change to occur, a significant emotional event must take place. Once this happens, these ideas can be applied in everyoneâs driving behaviors. Within my psychology background, this book is able to tie into my studies on behavior and the diversity in the emotional community of driving.
Section
3: The Bookâs Structure
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ This book had both an exercise and/or a checklist to complete at the end of every chapter. The exercises included ãyes or noä questions, checking off items, measuring of behaviors on a number sale, and doing driving observation forms. One test I took was the checklist on ãAggressive Thoughts and Feelingsä (pg 65). From my self-witnessing, I was able to see that I sometimes have fantasies of retaliating and being vengeful behind the wheel. In the other two areas of high-pressure driving and competition, and impulsive and reckless driving, I checked off very few. I only checked off 5 out of 15 questions.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ This part of the book is useful for assistance with self-awareness and observation. It is also able to put ranges in perspective for the reader. There are tables all throughout the chapters in this book. They range from emotional self-awareness scales, to examples of how road rage actions have led to homicidal tragedies in peopleâs lives. I didnât notice there to be a literature review in the book, but from other research, I have found reviews on this book through the Internet. Within the End Notes section of every chapter, the reader was able to find a bibliography portion.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ The index is very long, and even furthermore, very detailed. I found it easy to use. I feel the chapter titles were appropriate for the information that was shared within each of them. I would change the title of ãDriving in the Age of Rageä to ãRage Todayä. Another title I would change would be ãLifelong Driver Educationä to ãDriver Education: the Lifelong Journey.ä The layout of the book was understandable because of the bold font for headings and subheadings, and also the indentations of peopleâs stories and experiences discussed. I didnât have a problem see a problem with the size of the font throughout the book.
Section
4: Critique of the Book
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ The thing I enjoyed most of this book was the emphasis on self-awareness and emotional control. My favorite quote in the book is: Actions we take now determine in part how we feel later. Knowing this, we can exert control over our feelings behind the wheel (pg 65). This line teaches us that our behaviors now, will depict fate later. So many people donât realize this, something so simple. For example, when someone says ãI had to cut them off because they were going to slow,ä do this without taking into consideration that they might possibly cause the other person to crash, and possible result in a fatal accident.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ From this book, I was able to learn that I have to take more ownership for my feelings and reactions/behaviors while driving. Iâve learned to say, ãItâs not the other driversâ fault that Iâm late. I shouldâve left the house sooner. Thatâs what I get.ä Iâm also more cognizant of my emotions, and those of others, while driving. Iâve learned not to get so worked up over something that I have no control of. One of the strengths of the book was the use of examples from peopleâs lives. The book wasnât just spitting out statistical information, but was able to draw the reader in by using examples of othersâ real life situations. Another strength of the book was the up to date statistical information. This helps the reader see that this topic studied and researched in present times.
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ ÊÊÊÊÊ One weakness that I found in the book was the lack of grading scales for some of the exercises. In a few exercises, I completed them, but had I had no end explanation or scale for my results. This probably wouldâve improved my awareness and given me a guesstimate as to my standing within that exercise. I was able to find reviews of this book by looking at other studentsâ reports. Here are a few of them:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2002/molyneaux/bookreview.html
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2002/cupp/bookreview.htm
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409as2002/namihira/bookreview.html
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Section
5: Additional Observations
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ Iâm glad that Iâve made it to this section. I can say that some aspects of this class, in general, have enhanced my personal emotional awareness. The best feeling for me has been a sense of completion and closure. This chapter is now CLOSED!!!!
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