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MAKING TURNS MAKING ROOM IN ONE'S LANE OVERTAKING RACING |
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| Communication is a necessary part of our everyday lives. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly communicating with other individuals and groups of people. We even communicate with our own pets. As technology moves at tremendous speeds, we are finding new ways to improve and increase communication methods. As drivers, it is our responsibility to communicate with other drivers. Communication on the road helps to prevent accidents and helps to keep our roads safe for everyone?s use. Using blinkers, honking your horn, and hand gestures are some examples of how people communicate on the road. The effectiveness of verbal communication decreases due to the distance factor. However, there are situations where drivers combine both verbal and non-communication. In my report, I will describe five examples of driver communication patterns that I have observed on the road. Later I will also summarize several reports from past generations on driver communication. |
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| Changing lanes is a necessary part of driving. Everyone does
it every time they drive. It is a very common situation where communication
and interaction are absolutely necessary. There are various types
of communication methods that are used when drivers change lanes.
The method most commonly used was the blinker or turn signal. Using the blinker is a very effective way of non-verbally communicating to other drivers on the road. Using the blinker automatically signals to other drivers of your intentions to change to the left or right lane. On the freeway I noticed that most of the drivers did use their blinkers, however many used it as the car was already making the lane switch. Correct timing of the blinker is also very important. During heavy traffic, I often saw drivers using their blinkers. In heavy traffic, it seems nearly impossible to change lanes without using the blinker. Hand waving is another method of communication used during or before lane changing. This method was often used during very heavy or stop and go traffic. It was also commonly used in combination with the blinker. For example, Driver A turns on the blinker, looks in the rear view mirror and finds that changing over to the next lane will be difficult. Driver A decides to wave to the car behind as a polite way of asking permission to change lanes. I found that using the hand wave was a more intimate form of communication because it is intended for a specific driver. |
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| Turning is a common action where very little communication is exchanged between two drivers. The most common method of communicating the desire to make a turn was turning on the blinker. Using the blinker allows both drivers in the front and back are made aware of the driver?s intention to turn. Blinkers are very effective at communicating the intention to make a turn. Using the blinker allows drivers to anticipate and react to the other driver?s next action. I was not surprised to see that very few drivers took the time to use the blinker when anticipating a turn into an intersection or driveway. Both men an women, young and old rarely used the blinker to make turns. It is definitely frustrating when drivers fail to signal for a turn. |
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| Making room in one?s lane for another driver can sometimes be an irritating
situation, especially during heavy traffic times. However, this is
a rare situation where drivers have the opportunity to display good will
and kindness on the road. The most simple way of letting drivers
know it is okay for them to change lanes is to simply slow down and make
room for the other car. Using hand gestures, like waving the "go
ahead" signal was also commonly used and very effective. The lane
change was often followed by a wave of "thank you" or "shaka".
There are also situations where the driver does not want the other car coming into the lane. This is usually communicated by speeding up to the car in front to close the gap. The driver?s intention is communicated effectively using this method. Although not very happy, the other car is definitely made aware that changing lanes will not be allowed in this particular situation. |
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| Overtaking is very common in areas where there are only a few lanes.
Most of the overtaking situations were found when cars were driving too
slow in the left (fast) lane and a car was eager to pass them. The
most common method used when overtaking another car is to tailgate.
Although not very considerate, many drivers displayed this behavior.
Tailgating can be a very effective method of communicating to another driver
that he or she is driving too slow. Sometimes when a driver does
not appreciate being tailgated, the driver will repeatedly and suddenly
press on the brakes. It is usually effective because the driver will
back off and eventually change over to another lane.
In situations where I find myself being tailgated, I realize that the car behind wants to pass me and so I simply change lanes. In the past, I would get offended, but these days being overtaken by another car does not bother me. Overtaking is not a bad thing, so long as it is done safely and legally. |
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| Racing is a situation that I am not particularly familiar with. I see car races happen, but I am never a participant of it. Racing is dangerous and I am completely against it. People who race are disrespectful and selfish. Despite my beliefs toward drivers who race on public roads, racing does happen. Drivers who race have developed several non-verbal ways of initiating a race. Probably the most common form of challenging another car to race is repeatedly flashing the highlights at another car. Extreme revving of the engine and staring at the driver also act as methods of communicating the challenge to race. Installing a reverse light switch is also popular among the racing community. Using this switch enables drivers to flash the reverse lights even when driving forward. The reverse light has the same effect as flashing the highlights. Special stickers of car clubs also help to distinguish racers of different clubs. Simply pulling up to a car from a different club would initiate a race between the two drivers. |
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The report by Kristin Subia discusses the importance of driver communication. According to Kristin, it is our responsibility to communicate our intentions to other drivers. She describes six common situations where driver communication occur: making turns, changing lanes, yielding, making room in one's lane for someone else, tailgating, and racing. She also lists three types of interaction methods used on the road (vehicular communication, verbal communication, and gestures/facial expressions) and then discusses their effectiveness. Kristin also offers her suggestions for improving driver communication.
Andrew Shapiro's report is based on a mini observational study where he observed drivers at a four-way intersection. During his study he noted the various types of communication methods that were used by the drivers. According to Andrew, drivers at intersections use gestures for a variety of reasons. He was also surprised at the frequency of rude and obnoxious behaviors used by the drivers. Preventing accidents requires drivers to follow the rules and if another driver doesn't yield, forget it. Let the other driver go first. In his conclusion, Mr. Shapiro's advises drivers to be patient and enjoy the ride.
Kristin Evert Kristin begins her report by distinguishing the difference between car
communication and physical driver communication. Car communication
involves using your car to send messages to other drivers. Tailgating
is an example of car communication. Physical driver communication
directly involves the driver. For example, facial expressions, hand
gestures, and verbal communication. Kristin had difficulty with her
observations due to the lack of data that she collected during her study.
She found no evidence to prove the existence of communication patterns
in individual driving behavior. The final section of her report discusses
her recommendations for improving driving behavior.
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| Wherever you go, there are a number of universal methods of communication used among drivers today. In my opinion, the currently used methods are sufficient. These universal methods are understood by drivers all over the world and are very effective when they are used properly. Due to the distance and isolation between drivers, it would be difficult to develop new methods. Using telephones, CB radios, or flip cards could be dangerous on the road. These methods would take the driver?s attention away from the road, and therefore ineffective. Instead of trying to create and develop new methods, drivers need to FOCUS on the currently used methods. Every car is equipped with blinkers, but not every driver uses them. Keep the driving language that has already been established. And increase the public?s awareness of standardized forms of driver communication through education programs and informative web sites, such as Professor James?s Dr. Driving site. |
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| Future generations, interested in doing a FUN and exciting report?
Choose this one, you won?t regret it. It?s an opportunity for students
to examine how drivers communicate with each other. In the process
of observing others, I became aware of my own methods. During my observations
I noticed that I rarely used the blinkers. Is that annoying or what?
Anyway, after doing this report I now use my blinkers a lot.
Take my advice and have someone else drive. Start early and don?t wait until the last minute. The observation portion of the report will require a couple of days. Good Luck. And remember: Drive with Aloha! |
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