**Table of Contents**
Instructions For This Report
Definitions of Traffic Psychology
Other Generations
Author's Comments
Mac User to Road User
As a Driver
As a Passenger
As a Cyclist
As a Pedestrian
To The Future Road Warriors
Epilogue...

Definitions of Traffic Psychology:

Searching the Generational Curriculum, I found many similar definitions of Traffic Psychology that I posted below. Everyone I found agreed upon the "Study of...," and the "Traffic" part of the definitions. Most of the definitions were similar enough to pin down a formal one, if there is one. The five I included here are representative of most of the generations' take on Traffic Psychology.

Other Generations...

Jae Isa from Generation 1: "a means to decrease traffic accidents and fatalities as well as improving the self."

Aaron Takahashi from Generation 2: "The study of behavior in any kind of traffic including automobiles, pedestrians, airplanes, etc."

Mary Aldana from Generation 5: "Traffic Psychology is a field within Psychology that is devoted toward altering behavior and thoughts while driving in traffic. Not only is it a cognitive evaluation of our personal attitudes, but also attempts to teach us how to react to other driver's behaviors and feelings.

Lisa Among from Generation 6: "My first definition of Traffic Psychology is that it is a way to learn facts about the problems with driving."

Irene Barrineau from Generation 8: "Traffic Psychology is the analysis and the discipline of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors while driving or interacting with drivers. I feel that the word analysis and discipline are important for a number of reasons."

Comments?

My thoughts on the definitions had me flabbergasted to think that there is a branch of Psychology devoted to this subject. There are professors out there (like Dr. James) who spend their academic careers studying driving behavior. At first, I thought that this would be absolutely unnecessary, but I was wrong. Really wrong. There are a lot of professors out there who study the darndest things, but traffic psychology can actually save lives, prevent accidents, and provide explanations and solutions to problems on the road. My definition of Traffic Psychology is: "The study of the behaviors, feelings, cognitive processes, and social interaction associated with vehicular activity such as driving automobiles, bicycles, boats and pedestrian activities." Please don't quote me on that.

Ms. Isa's definition was too narrow in the fact that there is more to traffic psychology than a means to decrease accidents and to improve self. I need a little more than her definition to do research.

Mr. Takahashi's definition was a little more on the right track, yet psychology studies more than behavior.

Ms. Aldana's definition was thorough and well thought out. She adds an aspect of "teaching" that is important as well as true to the fact that Traffic Psychology has an aim to not only identify but attempt to correct problems associated with driving.

Ms. Among has a good start with her definition in that there is a need to identify problem with driving such as road rage and pedestrian rage. There is a need to elaborate on that definition.

Ms. Barrineau also had a very thorough definition of traffic psychology and her key word, "Analysis," is a substitute for "study." I was a little confused on what "discipline" was in relation to analysis and traffic psychology.

On the whole, these five definitions cover most of the areas that have been discussed in class and in the reports. I have heard many different definitions on what traffic psychology has meant to students, and I realize that people most often think that traffic psychology is very different than what first expected. I have found that it is a valued area of study that can aide in reducing violence on the road both internally (within self) and externally (around others) so that people can drive safely and wihout distress. When asked whether options presented can work, I have found not only in this area, but most areas of psychology that admitting a problem is the most difficult process that needs to be overcome. It isn't easy. Like an alcoholic at their first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, admission is a hard pill to take. I was not ready to accept any admission that I am an agressie driver because I am not an agressive driver. Generation 10 took an "impulsivity test" late in the semester and I scored 4 out of 15, 15 being highest on the impulsivity test. Although anyone could have lied on this test, I realize that driving safely is a top priority with me and my family.

Mac User to Road User:
Damage is not the word....

As a driver:

I am married and I have two people to think about when I drive. As far as gender issues are concerned, I always do the driving when Sam and I go places. I asked her about it and she just likes it when I drive. There is no real reason for her thinking because we are both safe drivers although I might drive faster than she does. Ok, I admit that I have felt and still do feel aggressive when I am behind the wheel. I really hate it when people cut me off and when people don't thank you when you let them in. I have practiced the art of courtesy when I drive and I let people in front of me all the time and it makes me angry that they are not thankful for it. I have mentioned many times in class as well as in print that I am a Christian. This perspective on driving can be expressed in scripture. Basically, driving is no different than any other activity when it comes to the Bible. We are to love our neighbors no matter what situation we encounter, behind the wheel or not. When that is taken into perspective, I am able to forgive someone who has wronged me in any way. Sometimes that is not an easy thing to do, but through practice and Grace, our choices will mirroR those of Jesus Himself when situations require a choice to love or not love, or to forgive or not forgive.

Cognitively, I make it a habit to look way ahead of me when I drive because I can see when people are stopping, when there are pedestrians in the crosswalk (or not), and when others make sudden moves in and out of lanes. This habit also prepares me for times when I have to make quick judgments like when people suddenly stop or turn in front of me. I am blessed that it hasn't happened that often to me so far.

As a passenger

As a passenger, I have to say that I am not in the passenger seat too often but when I am, it can be a scary thing. The last time I remember being a passenger was riding with my friend, "Steve (We'll just call him that)." He drives like he is two days late for the prom which means that he drives quickly through residential areas, dangerously close to other cars (We call it tailgating) on the freeway, and he loves to "rev" his engine. When we safely got to our destination, I wanted to call a cab and make an appointment for therapy. How did this make me feel? Helpless, for on thing. I felt like I had no control over the car and that death will be "Steve's" fault. Essentially, it would be his fault and I would watch every second before impact like it was on slow-motion like the "COPS" shows. Cognitively, I wanted to cut up his license and ring his neck, but that wouldn't be appropriate. I also found myself stepping on the "brake" (pressing my foot helplessly into the floor on the passenger side) while his 4 year old son happily played in the back seat. NO, I didn't have nightmares, but I make sure not to let him drive when we go somewhere.

As a cyclist

If I had written this report last semester, I would have very little to say about this section other than riding to school and back, which takes a whole five minutes, but boy have times changed. I commute to work twice a week which starts from Punahou School and ends on Fort Street Mall downtown. I ride there at 8:00am and again at 1:00pm-- time where cars are both plentiful and rude. I also ride heavily on trails which increases my ride time to about 15 hours per week. I have to say, that at any time I ride on the road, death is seriously imminent due to the fact that speed and the amount of traffic around. I move at an average speed of about 25 mph and I ride on either side of Beretania. This poses a hazard due to the cars that come out of the many driveways not looking for bikes and passengers that could open their doors without looking. I also have cars flying by on both sides and if one of them hits me, I could get thrown into the flow of traffic. Scary, but I am as careful as I can be in these situations. I am a very good cyclist but I am no match for the two tons of metal and a driver who isn't looking. Due to the danger, I have to be extremely alert as well as very skillful on handling my ride. I am not afraid, but I respect the danger riding on the road presents, so I take precautions for safety. I encourage anyone who rides a bicycle to take all necessary precautions and be as courteous to others as you can. Be safe...

As a pedestrian

Due to riding right up to my apartment and to my classes, I hardly walk anywhere. I have engaged in wonderful and intense conversations regarding "pedestrian rage." I have to say that people who engage in making cars wait for them can be fun for the pedestrian, but you might get hit one day. Someone mentioned that if they get hit, they can sue and get money, but the cost in time and pain does not make getting hit worth it. Think of this: You get hit and you sue. Always remember this: SOMEONE HAS TO PAY THE ATTORNEY. No lawyer I know works for free. If you want to go through months of litigation, expenses (believe me, there will be) and personal injury to get money through this method, than be my guest. I know that going though that is not better than walking across the street safely and going my way. Be smart because the whole point of walking across the street is getting there safely. It was also mentioned that most oftern drivers are not going that fast when they nudge up against you, but remember that two tons of steel will win over 200 pounds of flesh. Finally, realize that you are only going a few feet across the street. If some jerk in a car wants the right of way, than let him have it. Most often it will only take him three seconds or less to pass you and then you can be on your merry way, probably never to see him again.

To the Future Road Warriors:

Be On Good Behavior Now....
To the future generations: remember that traffic psychology is a field, although not as well known as other fields of psychology, is valid and needed to save lives and improve drivers one motorist at a time. As far as the the different subfields or domains are concerned, here are a few thoughts:
Affective
This deals with the "feelings and motives" part of traffic psychology which will include reasoning for those thoughts of anger and the different feelings like fear, anger, anxiety, and even happiness. I have heard from Dr. James, numerous pastors, and many friends that love can win things over. Driving is no different. We all know that love can mean many different things, so we have to know what type of love we are referring to:
Agape (ah GAH peh)

This type of love is termed as "unconditional love." This love gives and expects nothing in return. Most people are not used to this concept, but in the Bible, this type of love is used to describe Jesus' love for His church.

Phileo (fih LAY oh)

The City of Philadelphia gets its name from this type of love which means brotherly love (hence the "City of Brotherly Love"). Love your neighbor as a brother is this type and we can use this love when we drive in traffic in order to be friendlier on the road.

Eros

We have all seen this type of love plastered on magazine covers, commercials, and movies. This is the fire that burns within us that often leads to hot affairs and ultimately, getting burned. Please, don't use this love when you drive--it can be dangerous.
Storge ('STOR gay)

This is companionate, or friendship type love. In marriages, this type of love replaces the eros love later on and we usually see it when our wives "are our best friends." On the road, you can treat the person in the next car as a friend. You would let your wife go in front of you in the movie ticket line, and you can let someone who wants to change lanes in front of you as well.

In respect to our thoughts an feelings, there are types of love that are applicable to driving, and Dr. James has mentioned in class about "actions motivated by love." These four types of love are greek translations that are found in Bible concordances (dictionaries) in regards to the types of love demonstrated in the Bible. We can use these simple guidelines to know what type of love is being referred to when we are in many different situations and relationships.

Cognitive

This involves your thinking processes while driving which would include your thoughts while an action on the road is taking place as well as the judgments you make while on the road. This would include making decisions in relation to other vehicles and the handling of your own automobile. Thinking involoves, above all, choice. We all have a choice to get angry at another person or not. I admit, some of these choices are not easy to make and emotions can cloud the correct choices, but with practice, we can make the correct choices in driving and in life.

Sensorimotor

This is the first thing to go when you are inabriated. Your motor skills such as your physical handling of the car are included and the use of your senses. Your vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell are included here as well. This also can be inhibited when you are tired or even when you are going too fast. Speed makes it difficult to react to sudden situations. Speed, being tired or driving while drunk can have devastating consequences.

Epilogue

Final thoughts for the Road...

I thought that driving was a simple thing to do, but I was inaccurate in that assumption. I also thought that Traffic Psychology was a joke as a psychology subfield and I was inaccurate there as well. Through this report I not only realized the dangers of thinking the way I did, but I also realized that driving badly (or well) is a learned behavior just as Pavlov's Dog. I learned that my AFFECTIVE domain was dominated by two opposing forces: nice and angry. I do get mad when someone drives too slow in the left lane on the freeway or when someone doesn't thank me for letting them in. I have often mentioned in class as well as in other parts of my pages that I go to church. As a Christian, I realize that putting angry feelings under control and forgiving the person who doesn't drive well is a battle that can be won in the Lord. Forgiving in this sense does not mean that the other person has to go to confession, but it means that although the other driver has wronged me, I don't hold that action against them and I realize that God values that person behind the wheel and so should I. People make mistakes, but God is a loving God so He gives everyone a second chance. When I do the same on the road, not only do I feel better in the end, but I realize that in God's eyes, that driver is someone valued. The feeling that I am trying to point out is LOVE. Not the mushy kind that wreaks in "Meet Joe Black," but AGAPE love, or unconditional love. This kind of love exists DESPITE how we feel and when we forgive someone for cutting us off, or other road hazards, we display agape love because we can feel really angry, but we CHOOSE to forgive and love them even though we probably won't know who they are. In the COGNITIVE domain, I payed special attention to how I drove the car in order not to make people angry (by driving fast enough or using blinkers) and driving safely as to not cause or be in a position to be a part of an accident. I also payed attention to what I was thinking during those judgments and I realized that safety and courtesy dominated those thoughts during driving. In the SENSORIMOTOR domain, I am lucky that I can react in time to thing happening on the road and I don't drink. The interesting part of this section is driving while tired. No one really had mentioned this during any of the discussions and I know that people die because of this reason. Driving while tired definitely can have an effect on your sensorimotor skills.

The last point I wanted to make, was that any participation on the road, be in a car, on a bike, or in a crosswalk, remember that you are trying to get to your destination safely. There are times when you will have others in the car with you and as a driver, you are responsible for their lives as well. Speed will never be a good substitute for safety and I would rather get there a little slower and in one piece than spend time in a hospital. Worse yet, I could never live with the thought that a passenger died due to my irresponsibility. Think about these things the next time you take to Hawaii's roads because we all need to think to make our islands a safer place to be.

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