Introduction

What is a QDC?

QDC is a Quality driving circle is a group of people who discuss and post their opinions virtually on the web or in a small discussion group. The participants discuss road safety issues to improve the driving habits of individuals. The goal of the group is to make driving a safer experience.

What is your idea of a QDC, and do you see yourself as a lifelong QDC member?

My idea of a QDC is a group of people who can openly discuss their opinions on driving habits. The participants are free to comment on your opinions to help you become a better driver. I do see myself as a lifelong QDC member. However, rather than posting my own messages, I really enjoyed reading the posting of the other members. It makes me see the road in other people's point of view. Very Interesting!

Are QDC's needed?

Yes! With QDC's I think everyone can learn to become a better driver. By helping each other, we can contribute to a safer driving environment.

Self Witnessing Reports

Tee cards can be found at http://aloha.net/~dyc/qdc.html

SWR #1 Tee Card No. 44c2 and 42c2

I notice sometimes when I am a passenger while my boyfriend is driving, he often does not let other cars cut into his lane. When I asked him why, his reply was, "Cause I didn't feel like it." But I also noticed that he too tries to cut into the lanes at the last minute. Why do people do this? I really do not mind letting cars cut in front of me. And I also believe that some drivers don't notice when a car is trying to cut in. I too don't let cars into my lane without realizing that the driver wants to cut in. As for idiot drivers, I can't stand when a car cuts in front of me on the freeway and drives very slowly. I think that slow cars should stay in the right lane. Drivers that tail you are idiot drivers too. When you tail a car, don't drivers realize that this could cause a big accident? There are many things that we could do to prevent major car accidents. People should be trained to become more of a defensive drivers.

My Analysis:

For my first SWR, I am only looking at other people's driving and not being attentive to my own driving habits. I am really critical about how other drivers cut people off and not about me cutting them off. I felt like I need to look at my own attitudes first before judging other people's driving.

SWR #2 Tee Card No. 1c1 Ten Aggressive Behaviors - Which one do you do?

I totally agree with melo1 on many things that she said in her SWR #2. I too act in the same way when I am pressed for time. If I were to leave earlier or on time, then all the bad driving habits could be avoided, but somehow things just don't work that way. I notice that when I am late for an appointment, I start to feel frustrated, which leads to aggressive driving. My suggestion is always leave at least 5-10 minutes earlier. It's always better to be early than late. And plus, we could reduce the chance of getting into an accident.

My Analysis:

I can truly say that this is one of the biggest thing that I got out of this QDC. I always always always try to leave at least 10minutes earlier so that I won't have speed and rush in traffic. I feel much better when I am always on time. This is a really positive change for me and I am really happy that I was able to change of my oldest habits of always being late.

SWR #3 Tee Card No. 2c1 Competitive Mentality- Which one applies to you?

My Analysis:

SWR #4 Tee Card No. 4c1 Road Rage Tendencies - What is yours?

My Analysis:

SWR #5 Tee Card No. 8c2 The Driver's Threefold Self

After reviewing the Driver's three fold self, I would like to think of my self as fitting into Phase 2. Although, I must admit that I have my days as a Phase 1 driver. I find myself to be in a Phase 1 stage when I am emotionally frustrated at something. I guess you could say that I take out my frustration on my driving behavior. But compared to my teenage years, I feel that I have become a better driver. I feel that the experience that I gained from driving has made me into a wiser driver.

My Analysis:

I still feel that the more experience I have as a driver, the more confident I get about my driving skills. When I was younger, I was more careless about how other felt about my driving. Now I am so aware of the safety of myself and other drivers.

SWR #6 Tee Card No. 9c2 Strategies for Managing Anger

When I first read the "Hints on How to Manage Your Outbreak of Anger in Traffic" I noticed that I use some of the techniques that are listed already. However, I did not realize how often I use those techniques to try to stay calm in situations where I am very upset while driving. I would like to think of myself as a calm and non aggressive driver but I can't say that this is always true. I must admit there are times when my frustrations take over my emotions. And by then, I am too angry to even think about these techniques to try to calm me down. I should be more of a considerated driver. Perhaps other drivers may think of me as a jerk or an idiot driver too sometimes.

My Analysis:

Calming habits while driving is very helpful. I find myself always trying to calm myself down when I am frustrated or upset(not only while driving)> What really helps me now is to listen to music that I really like. I also try to get my mind off anger by concentrating on the road rather than my emotions. Like Daniel Goleman says, I am practicing to be emotionally inteligent.

SWR #7 Tee Card No. 15c2 Threestep Program - Apply it to one of your driving habits

At first, it was really difficult for me to acknowledg that I have a problem with my driving. I don't feel as though I am an excellent driver but I felt that I was an okay driver. Both of my parents are nonaggressive drivers so I really appreciate that they were very good role models as drivers. However, this does not mean that I don't get aggressive at all. I must admit there are days when I feel more aggressive and competitive. I think this is probably where I my driving makeover begins, admitting that I am not a perfect driver. I tried to notice mistakes of other drivers and I realize that I do the same mistakes also. By observing other drivers, I really feel that we can become better driver by keeping an open mind and drive with the intention of always trying to be a smart driver. Always choosing to be a peacemaker is also a very good point. It is our own choice to be a warrior or a peacemaker so make the right choice.

My Analysis:

Once again I must say that having a good role model driver really helped me become an okay driver. My parents are very calm and nonaggressive people. We should all try to become good drivers for the sake of the safety of our future generations!

SWR #8 Tee Card No. 30c6 Scenario Analysis

I really don't know why people have to carry a gun around in the car in the first place. What has this country come to? I really don't feel that the world is such an unsafe place where you have to always have a gun with you. I feel that we all need to solve problems without conflict and hostility. I don't understand people who feel that they have to resolves problems with physical violence. That doesn't solve anything at all, but actually creates more problems. I'm starting to wonder if there is too much stress in society. Maybe this is why people get so out of control or take out their frustration on driving.

My Analysis:

Gun control is really a big issue now. So much people loose control and resort to violence. I think that driver education in important but also anger management is also a very important skill that we should all try to learn while driving. Road rage should be avoided at any cost. Being confrontational is not the right answer to solving problems. Calming down is a good thing like in Tee card 9c2.

SWR #9 Tee Card No. 33c7 and 34c7 Drivers Behaving Badly - Replicate with your favorite show.

My Analysis:

SWR #10 Tee Card No. 55c2 and 57c2 Anger Control Strategy - How does it work for you?

My Analysis:

Conclusion

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