report1.htmlTEXTMOSSE¶¡Ób§¡Ób‹ªª¶æ Brandi Ashby Report 1, Traffic Psychology, University of Hawaii

Portrayals of Driving Behavior on TV:
Are These Images Promoting Bad Driving on Our Roads?

Contents

Introduction: Why is this Important?

Do you actually mimic the bad driving behaviors that you see on television or at the movies? If you answered no, you are likely mistaken. Although we see bad and even dangerous driving on TV and do not think about what we are viewing the subconscious has absorbed and stored what your eyes have seen and your ears have heard. We tend to act out these behaviors behind the wheel, in turn, making the road a dangerous and even deadly place for not only we the drivers, but also, the innocent passengers or bystanders. Because of this, the line between reality and make believe becomes distorted.
Driving is everywhere in real-life, as well as television. Whether it be on movies, serials, commercials, cartoons or music videos, vehicles are a common thread in the entertainment industry. This report will deal with bad driving at the movies, in commercials and in music videos.
I observed ten different examples of bad driving and each one is separately broken down. The rating system and areas of evaluation include the driver, in addition to the actual driving that occurs. Prominence is the amount of time the program or whatever is being viewed, emphasized the bad driving. The realistic nature of the program simply refers to whether or not after viewing the scene a driver might say to herself "I could do that". Finally, danger is evaluated and this is based on the risk of injury involved to the driver, other drivers and bystanders, or all three. Below is the highest possible point total for each of the three sections of evaluation.

Prominence 0-3
Realistic nature 0-3
Danger Involved 0-4
Total possible= 10

The following are three Generation 6 report summaries. Like our generation, G7, these students dealt with portrayals of driving on television..

Additional Sources of Information

Kristy Kato: Portrayals of Driving Behavior on T.V
Ms.Kato and I had the same idea of incorporating music videos into our reports. In addition, we both looked at movies and commercials. In this Mtv generation, I think it is a good idea to consider the influence music videos have on people.
Kristin Subia: Portrayals of Driving Behavior on TV-Good or Bad?
Ms. Subia reviewed movies, commercials, cartoons and sporting events for her report. Her report was clear and easy to understand. I am however, a bit puzzled over the observation of NASCAR - is this really bad driving behavior? This is a sport we are talking about. To me this does not seem like road rage because the entire point her is to drive fast.
Jennifer Kaneshiro: Portrayals of Driving Behavior on TV-Good or Bad?
Ms. Kaneshiro reflects deeply on how watching bad driving behavior influences others and herself. She reviewed commercials, cartoons and movies. This is a very structured report full of useful information for the reader.

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Observations: The Images of Driving

Movies


Jerry Mcguire | Peacemaker|Thelma and Louise|My Best Friends Wedding

1. Jerry Mcguire



Description of Events
Tom Cruise plays Jerry who is a sports agent happy over a job related issue. As Jerry drives down the highway, he is singing, swaying and playing the drums on the steering wheel.

Specific Behaviors

Evaluation
This is not the typically ideal scene of bad driving yet, it is bad driving behavior. We have all probably at one time or another acted in such a manner behind the wheel. Obviously, he is not focused on the task at hand.

Rating

Prominence: 1
Realistic Nature: 3
Danger Involved: 1
Total score=5

2. Peacemaker

Description of Events
Peacemaker is an action thriller starring George Clooney and Nicole Kidman. Together they are defending the US from a Soviet terrorist. In a scene taking place on the streets of a foreign city the two of characters are in a full-sized Mercedes running from the gunmen who just shot and killed a long time friend of Clooney's..

Specific Behaviors

Evaluation
Scenes such as this may seem unrealistic to people. They are dangerous and could inflict harm not only on the driver but everyone else around. Don't be fooled, just because Clooney has a high rank in the Army doesn't make him an expert driver.

Rating
Prominence: 2
Realistic Nature: 2
Danger Involved: 4
Total score=8

3. Thelma and Louise

  • Date: 10/3/97
  • Time: 7:00pm
  • Name of Program: Thelma and Louise
    Description of Events
    Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are two thrill seeking women out on an adventure that turns to murder. Driving in a convertible the two rob a convenience store, seduce a young man, go on male bashing binge and ellude law enforcement. The police are chasing them on murder charges and finally catch up to them. They come to a stop because they are barricaded by the law on three sides and a cliff on the other. They choose to drive off the cliff together and die rather than turn themselves in.

    Specific Behaviors

    Rating

    Prominence: 3
    Realistic Nature: 0
    Danger: 4
    Total=7

    4. My Best Friend's Wedding

    Description of Events
    After Julia Roberts is picked up at the airport by her best friend's fiancee the scene develops. Cameron Diaz, the fiancee, is perched behind the wheel of a very sporty BMW. The little cutie becomes a speed demon. This is so unexpected from someone with her appearance, that is, she looks demure and innocent, not at all like the demon behind the wheel that she becomes.

    Specific Behaviors

    Evaluation
    This scene is not of great length, compared to the entire movie. But, it leaves a mark on one's memory because it was so realistic and shocking. None of the passengers in the car say a word to the driver. I suppose they, like me, were to shocked at the events, not to mention worried about their personal safety. Nonetheless the looks on their faces were frightened.

    Rating

    Prominence: 1
    Realistic Nature: 3
    Danger Involved: 4
    Total Score: 8

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    Commercials

    Cadillac Eldorado | Tyco Slammer | Seatbelt Dummies

    1. Cadillac Eldorado

    Description of Events
    A sleek red Cadillac Eldorado is driving itself through beautiful scenery on a sunny day. It looks as if the car is moving at a high rate of speed; however, no other cars are on the road at this time with it.

    Specific Behaviors

    Evaluation
    The encouragement we receive from the background voice ruins this otherwise fairly safe car commercial. Because we perceive the car as allowing us to live without limits, therefore it can be interpreted that it is not complying with the rules of the road or society for that matter.

    Rating

    Prominence: 3
    Realistic Nature: 3
    Danger Involved: 1
    Total score=7

    2. Tyco Slammer

    Description of Events
    The Tyco Slammer is a remote control four wheel type toy vehicle. The commercial shows dirt hills and ditches easily being scaled by the Slammer. Not shown is the operator of this device. The narrator is relentless in the background calling play by play for each of the stunts the Slammer is able to perform.

    Specific Behaviors

    Evaluation
    This is a child's toy and children are being persuaded to be in control of the slammer and make it perform dangerous acts. Th actions that the slammer completes make it seem alright to people because no one is hurt or it is just a toy. This is where the children's subconscious can easily pick up bad driving behavior.

    Rating

    Prominence: 3
    Realistic Nature: 0
    Danger Involved: 4
    Total score= 7

    3. Seatbelt Dummies

    • Day: Wednesday
    • Date: 10/ 15/97
    • Time: 11:15am
    • Channel: USA Network

    Description of Events
    The seatbelt dummies are pulled over by a cop for not using their safety belts. Being the dummies that they are they question the policeman about why they should have to wear safety belts. About that time the car rolls side over side down a steep hill. The screen clears and it warns us to wear our safety belt because "police are ticketing across the nation" seatbelt violations.

    Specific Behaviors

    • no seatbelt on driver or passenger
    • car rolling down the hill
    Evaluation
    a This is one of those good /bad combination commercials. We are shown the bad behavior (not using the seatbelt) and what can happen if you don't. Although the commercial didn't show the dummies thrown from the car, we can gather from this that they probably would have been since they did not buckle up. For this reason, I liked this commercial.

    Rating

    Prominence: 2
    Realistic Nature: 2
    Danger Involved: 4
    Total score= 8

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    Music Videos

    Reba McEntire | Suzy Boggess |Alannis Morisette 1. Reba McEntire

    Description of Events
    Reba McEntire and her boyfriend are getting ready for her cousin's wedding. Reba is supposed to be the bridesmaid. Together, they get carried away and end up driving around in a convertible on the beach (among other things).

    Specific Behaviors

    Evaluation
    This is a short video aired late at night. Still it depicts horrible driving behavior. The scary part is that the lyrics are brought to life by the actions of the actors in the video. Also, the realistic factor here is high because many of us tend to joke and play behind the wheel.

    Rating

    Prominence: 3
    Realistic Nature: 3
    Danger Involved: 2
    Total score= 8

    2. Suzy Boggess

    Description of Events
    The song and video are about driving south where it is warm and leaving all your problems behind. She sings about the freedom she'll have when she arrives in the warm climate and she "ain't going to pack her pantyhose". Again, this all takes place driving down the road in a convertible.

    Specific Behaviors

    • hands are taken off the wheel as she rejoices over not having to wear pantyhose.

    Evaluation
    Not a major problem with bad driving behavior in this particular video. But, she took her hands off the wheel which is a no-no .

    Rating

    Prominence: 1
    Realistic Nature: 3
    Danger Involved: 1
    Total score=5

    3. Alannis Morisette

    • Day: Sunday
    • Date: 10/5/97
    • time:11:00pm
    • Channel: MTV
    • Name of Video: "Ironic"

    Description of Events
    The entire video is shot while driving down the road. It is snowing outside. The driver is constantly looking in her mirror to see what the people in the back seat are up to. As they roll around playfully in the back and hang out the window she continues to drive.

    Specific Behaviors

    • driving one handed
    • driver allows reckless activity to occur in car
    • looking at the passengers not the road

    Evaluation
    In this video, it is not so much the actions of the driver that are dangerous, but her passengers are acting recklessly. This is a very realistic situation, especially when young people are the drivers or passengers.

    Rating

    Prominence: 3
    Realistic Nature: 3
    Danger Involved: 1
    Total: 7

    How This Report Has Influenced Me

    As a result of compiling the information to construct this report, I have had a very eye opening experience. This has been quite a learning task for me, not only in terms of the challenges with using the computer but also in the interest of traffic/driving psychology. I now understand that many of the things that I previously labeled as good driving are not. Because of this report, but more specifically, because of this class I am learning to drive with less rage. Also, I have become aware of my territoriality on the road and I am struggling to share the road in a kinder way.

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