INTRODUCTION

Most drivers on the road don?t even know what traffic psychology is. Neither did I. Now that I?ve learned a little on the subject, I believe that the study of traffic psychology should be taken more seriously and that every would-be driver should study up on the subject.

There?s more to driving than just the mechanics of shifting gears, turning the wheel, and stepping on the brakes. When an individual is driving, one must take into consideration how one feels (affective domain), how one thinks (cognitive domain), and how one perceives things and reacts to them (sensorimotor domain). These all play a major role in producing a responsible driver.

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5 DEFINITIONS OF TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY FROM THE GENERATIONAL CURRICULUM

Jae Isa G1/459

According to Jae Isa?s definition, traffic psychology is "the study of behavioral patterns and psychological theories regarding various issues of traffic in any shape or form. Its two main purposes are to decrease auto accidents and fatalities and to improve the American character." She believes that by studying traffic psychology, better traffic laws could be put into effect because there would be facts to back them up. Presently, people focus more on what?s happening rather than on why it?s happening. For instance, I once read that people who drive red cars are more accident-prone than those who drive cars of other colors. Instead of just thinking, "How odd" or "Interesting fact," we should examine the reasoning behind this observation.

I would have to agree with Jae on the idea of traffic psychology leading to the decrease in automobile accidents and fatalities. Traffic psychology seems to be a new and little-known field of study. With more research and findings, traffic psychology can do for traffic laws and behavioral-makeovers what Masters and Johnson?s research did for sex.

One point that I do not agree with Jae upon is her assertion that traffic psychology could improve the American character. Does being a better driver imply that one has a better moral system? She suggests this but doesn?t really supply any research or reasoning to back her statement. Perhaps she is saying that adhering to traffic laws is a good indication that one would comply with the other laws of society.

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Alan Furukawa G2/459

According to Alan's report, "Traffic psychology allows us to reflect on our driving persona by opening up our awareness to our unconscious behavior enacted throughout our everyday lives when we get in the car, turn the key, and drive from Point œA? to Point œB.?" What Alan is saying is that we must observe ourselves from a different perspective and constantly be aware of our every action including those that we do not think about.

Alan also comments on how the road has no biases and is not judgmental. This is true, since it is not living. However, it is biased and discriminatory when others bring their prejudices onto the road with them. This contributes to bad driving habits and rude behavior, such as when a driver comments on someone else?s driving and attributes it to their race or gender.

I believe that if we see our selves in a different light we can learn from our faults and create self-awareness in our daily driving.

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Letitia Lujan G2/459

Letitia?s definition states that "Traffic Psychology helps us to realize our actions and in essence, our driving personalities. After we are able to realize them, we can start work on trying to understand them. Realizing and understanding are two very different things. After understanding takes place, we can work on change and our reasons for it." What Letitia is saying is that in order to understand our driving personalities, we must become conscious of our driving habits. Once we can see how we react to driving situations, then we can work our way backward and find out where our driving personalities stem from.

After reading Letitia?s definition of Traffic Psychology, it makes me curious to see what my driving personality is like. I?ve always considered myself to be an easy-going and defensive driver, and I still believe myself to be this way after evaluating myself. However, I do know of people who are aggressive drivers and think they own the road.

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Lori Kim G3a/409

In Lori Kim's report, she defines traffic psychology as such: "traffic psychology is a way of examining your thoughts and behaviors whenever you are in a œtraffic situation.?" By analyzing your driving in a "traffic situation," one can benefit immensely by becoming more aware of your actions and behaviors. Traffic conditions seem to bring out the worst in people. When people feel anxiety and irritation while driving, their actions may become influenced by their feelings. For example, someone who tailgates another person because they were cut off on the road can create a dangerous situation.

I agree with Lori?s definition of traffic psychology because she talks about analyzing yourself in "traffic situations." I believe that it is when we are out there in traffic we can evaluate our driving behaviors best.

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Shane Cobb-Adams G4/459

According to Shane?s definition, "Traffic Psychology deals with the affective, cognative, and sensory-motor aspects of people in the context of the everyday yet often maddening occurance of driving, dealing with traffic, and dealing with others." Shane believes that the by studying traffic psychology one can change their life and achieve a better quality of living. He also feels that traffic psychology is all about you. While driving you must confront everything: Your driving personality, your reactions, your feelings, your judgements, your thoughts, and your bad driving habits.

I?d have to say that I agree with Shane?s definition of traffic psychology because when you boil it down, your actions behind the wheel ultimately stems from you and only you.

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MY EXPERIENCES ON THE ROAD:

As a driver?

When on the road as a driver, I consider myself to be top priority. That is, I look out for myself and I believe I am entitled to every right of way. This can get dangerous, especially if there are other drivers out there who also think this way (and I know there are). If there is ever a "showdown," it could get ugly. For instance, when I am driving along, minding my own business, and someone drives past at a great speed and in some way taunts me, I?d feel tempted to race that person and give him or her a run for their money. Humiliation and being the king of the road are the key here.

With traffic psychology, I would have to re-evaluate my feelings and find out where they stem from. I?d have to take each emotion apart and analyze the implications. And perhaps I?ll be more conscious of my driving habits and, next time, resist the temptation to race and put myself in a dangerous situation.

As a pedestrian?

Even as pedestrians, we need to practice traffic psychology. I know that for myself, the perspective from a pedestrian role is quite different. Whereas as a driver, I believe that every right of way is mine, as a pedestrian, I feel that drivers should yield to me. I know this is a pretty egocentric viewpoint, but I believe it has wide acceptance among drivers and pedestrians.

Also, as a pedestrian, I think I need to practice being more courteous and aware of their environment. For example, when I?m crossing the street and I know that there is a car waiting on the corner to turn, I?ll purposefully walk at a slower pace just to make that car wait a little longer. People should also be more aware of their surroundings. For myself, I?ve found that I tend to cross the street without looking both ways just because the sign is flashing "walk." I take it for granted that that means I have every right to be in that crosswalk. I?ve observed that others have this same mentality. Traffic psychology teaches us to be more conscious of everything: our judgments, our feelings, our senses and our actions.

As a bicyclist?

I don?t really ride a bicycle as a mode of transportation, but I know that as a driver, I used to think that they belong on the sidewalk rather than on the streets and that they?re just holding up traffic by being on the road. I would speed right by bicyclists and try to scare them. But what if I had hit one of them? It would have been on my conscience for the rest of my life; all because of a stupid mentality. Traffic psychology would have prevented the whole situation from taking place by changing the way I thought and viewed the bicyclist.

Through traffic psychology, I?ve learned that they have as much a right as I do to be on the road. Being on the road is a privilege that should not be taken lightly. There are so many factors out there that can make for a dangerous situation, and if we aren?t careful with our actions and reactions, then we may get into trouble.

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SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

In order to research this subject thoroughly, I would suggest taking the time to look through Dr. James? homepage. Another way to research the definition of traffic psychology would be to go into a search engine, such as Alta Vista or Yahoo, and type "definitions of traffic psychology" or other related words. After doing this, the search engine will show you the results of its search, which includes students? homepage addresses.

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EPILOGUE

According to Dr. James, we need to learn and practice a four-letter word: L-O-V-E. As drivers, pedestrians, and as cyclists we all need to learn to apply compassion and courtesy on the roadways. With traffic psychology, being more conscious of ourselves and others creates conditions that make the road a safer place to commute.

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