By Constancio "O.G." Torres

Table of Contents

What is Traffic Psychology?  It is the study of a person, while in the act of driving.  In recent years, traffic psychology has become a very hot topic of study.  Especially, in the interest of understanding the problems of road rage and wanting to increase prevention for traffic accidents, tickets, etc.  My definition of Traffic Psychology will come from my interpretations and understanding that I receive from past generations, Dr. Leon James' Homepage, and Dr. Driving.

Five Definitions of Traffic Psychology

Learning What the Problems Are and How to Correct Them

The problems with driving could be studied through Traffic Psychology. Knowing that there are problems when people get behind the wheel of a car, whether they are careful or reckless drivers. At least acknowledging that a person has a problem with driving, especially with their behavior, when they drive. Driving is 90% mental and 10% physical. One needs the mental capacity to be aware of their surroundings at all times. This mental capacity or awareness, affects a person's behavior. By knowing one's own behavior, they would know what types of problems they have driving. Finally, byrealizing a person's problem driving, can one attempt to correct it.

A Different Way of Looking at Traffic

Traffic Psychology gives a new outlook of what traffic can be. One shouldn't limit traffic as a time of anger and hate, especially if it doesn't help make the time go by faster. One should take advantage of the situation. One can do many things while suck in traffic, like listen to the news, shave, reflect, create new ideas, practice singing, talk on the phone, and so on. It is up to the person to utilizes the time spent in traffic. Many ideas come to mind while being stuck in traffic. Recently, I got stuck in traffic and I came up with a great idea on how to make a eye catching poster. It is a poster for recuiting. I wanted to recuit people in with the use of suggestion, like it is used in psychology. Another instance, balancing my check book in my head, by figuring out what I spent for the week, sometimes for the month. As one can see, a person can do many thinks while in traffic. A person just has to utilized their time wisely.

A Way to be Aware of What is Going on While Driving

There are many ways to be aware of while one is driving. Whether it is constantly looking through all three mirrors, looking back, having a navigator, or listening for other vehicles. I would like to focus on three aspects from Dr. Driving idea of The Three Domains of Driving Behavior: Affective, Cognitive, and Sensorimotor. All of these aspects go together like hand-in-hand.

Affective part of being aware is the emotion one feels when they are driving. By knowing how you feel before, during and after you drive, you can eleviate any problems one might have. For example, if a person is feeling angry. That person knows that they are angry and shouldn't drive, because that person could affect another person who is driving.

Cognitive part of being aware is the mind capacity to operate a vehicle. Not everyone is cognitively capable of operating a vehicle. Know that a person is capable of driving a vehicle helps the person, as well as the next person. Also, having the capacity of being able to react to the environment. Having to react to other cars, pedestrians, and cyclist.

Sensorimotor part of being aware is the physical ability in driving. The ability of one's physical body to react to any given situation. Like being able to directing a vehicle within their own lane or being able to avoid another car before an accident can occur. Also, this has to deal with the ability to use one's hands and legs while driving, especially if the person drives a standard vehicle. One can think of it as a type of hand-eye coordination.

A Way to Improve Driving: Acknowledge, Witness, Modify

There are different ways to improve driving, one can start by learning some Traffic Psychology. First off, the person must realize that they have a problem with their driving behavior. Once they realize that they have a problem, they can get help. Before they can receive help, they have to help themselves first. By acknowledging the problem, would mean that one would want help. Second, having a witness. A person needs a witness to figure out were is the problem with their driving behavior. A witness can point out the problems with the person's driving behavior and can also give advice to the person. Finally, it is up to the person to modify their driving behavior to fix the problem. Then they must reenforce what they modified, by reminding themselves of the process they used to improve their driving.

A Way to Better Your Life

Traffic Psychology can help anyone improve their way of life. By knowing and understanding what Traffic Psychology is all about, it helps enlighten people. It really is up to the person to create a better way of life. One may acheive a better life by being aware of the ideas, perceptions, innovations and so on with driving. But no one can make another person's life better, only that person can make their life better.

My Experiences As A Road User

Driver

As a driver, I see where traffic psychology would be a helpful course to study.  I have only driven for seven years now, and I am still new to driving.  Though, I have experienced many things while driving.  Like getting into three accidences, but not getting any traffic citations.  The first accident, it was my senior year in high school.  I waited and parked outside my high school for my friend.  As my friend came out the front gate, he made a turn at about 35mph, and he rear-ended my car and totaled his car too.  The second accident, I was just driving in traffic and I wasn't paying attention on the road.  I ended up bumping the car in front of me, it was not a hard bump.  Only my truck got a bent bumper.  The third accident just happen just last week.  I was driving in a parking structure and it was raining hard.  I made a turn and my truck skid into a parked car. For all my accidences, I experienced many different emotions all at once. It seemed like I was over stimulated with emotions, like sadness, anger, disgust, shock, fear, anxiety, and many others. Also, I felt differently, when I was the person who caused the accident.

Passenger

As a passenger, I notice that I like to still feel in control of the vehicle. I like to give directions and be the one to navigate where we would go. Also, I tend to nag the driver of the vehicle to the point where I should have been the one to have driven in the first place. Though, there are times where I like to just kick back and relax in the passenger side or the back seat. I end up just enjoying the ride and notice things I don't normally see. Also, it is the most opportune time for me to get some sleep, especially if i'm going out that night. Ultimately, being the passenger sucks.

Pedestrian

As a pedestrian, I feel like I still own the road, even if there is a two ton car coming my way. I know that the car has to slow down, because pedestrians have the right of way. Especially when you're the parking lot. People in cars have to yield to any pedestrian walking to and from their cars. They stop for you, like you are some kind of king. It feels great. But sometimes there are the exceptions, the "Idiots" who try to run you over. Those are the people who don't care and are very inconsiderate. Also, they are the ones with the lawsuits and guilt, when something bad happens. If you think of it like this, pedestrians in cars are still pedestrians.

Cyclist

As a cyclist, I still tend to feel like I own the road, even on a bike or a moped. I have riden a bike to school, but it was aways a hassle than a resource. Bicycle riders are not allowed on the sidewalks, where it is safer to be on. It reduces the fear of being hit by a care. Though mopeds are better than bikes. A moped is like a bike, only that it is motorized and has some power. Well, my moped has power. It is a lot manuverable than a bike or a car. And you can take it to many places and it is very good on finding a convenient place to park. Of course, it is very fun and stimulating.

Suggestions For Future Generations

I have three things to suggest and for you to think about.

1) When you have the opportunity to experience the many modes of transportation, take advantage of it. Whether it is walking, biking, boating, skiing, skateboarding, mopeding, driving or being a passenger. It just helps you get a feel of what other people are doing or getting around.

2) Always have an open mind when you do things, you might end up liking something or doing something.

3) Have your own ideas, especially when you do things. You create your own life and you should live it the way you want to and not the way others want you too.

Epilogue

Searching around for information about Traffic Psychology made me thing about driving and all the things I've experienced while I'm driving. It really made me step back and think. I am a reckless driver, and I need to do something to stop this recklessness. Also, it made me think that I take things for granted. Though now I made myself aware of my own problems, and it is up to me to fix my problems. I know that I'm not the only one with problems with my driving, I know that everyone has problems with their driving. If everyone tried to fix one of their problems, the world might be a safer place, especially on the road.