Portrayals of Driving Behavior on TV:
Monkey See, Monkey Do?

Aloha and welcome to my little look at the way driving is portrayed in the media. This report will cover my look at several commercials, movies, and TV programs and how driving is portrayed within them. You will first find a description of the observation by a list including, the day, date, time, channel, name of the program, type of observation, its characters, what I saw, and how long it took. This is followed by and analysis and observation , and then finally my personal rating.

My personal rating scale is based on three criteria. Density, by which I mean how much of the overall scene or show is centered around the driving. Intensity, meaning how bad is it. Ability, meaning a viewer?s ability to believe that they can go out and repeat what they saw. Each of these I will assign a maximum of 5 points. Zero is good and Five is bad. So, for example, a 4 on the Intensity scale would mean that the behavior seen was very bad or explicit, but there could be worse. The points will all be totaled and looked at accordingly.

Observation:

Analysis and Evaluation:

Many of us would love to be able to afford a BMW. Just the name itself tends to bring images of ease, wealth, and power. The driver and his passenger are daring, it seems as though they have run off from their lives for a bit, to have some time to themselves. Lots of us would love to do that as well. They seem to own the road upon which they drive, and have no worries except the factor of time, which is why they are in such a rush. They seem mature and wise, but act without care or concern for others.

This commercial can lead people to think that, not only does money rule all walks of life, but once you own this car, the world revolves around you. There is no longer a need to obey traffic signs, hey, that?s why you bought an expensive car. The commercial brings alive a fantasy, and can obscure people?s reality by seeming to be something within reach (once you have this car).

Rating:

Density: 5
Intensity: 3
Ability: 5
Total: 13

Observation:

Analysis and Evaluation:

I first wanted to comment that the driving seen in this commercial may be excessively fast, but it is viewed in a controlled setting, on a race track with a technical crew standing by, and a helicopter overhead. But, the reason I chose this commercial was the attitude that may become apparent after this commercial is seen. A commercial is used to sell an item. Once someone is sold on this oil for their car, they may have a false sense of safety. Hey, the guy on TV drove at 100mph for hours and hours with almost no oil... I don?t really need to change my oil right now, even if that red light is flashing.

Part of being a responsible driver is keeping your car is good running order, no matter how good the products you use are. This commercial goes beyond the selling techniques and into a careless zone. Without some type of disclaimer, this commercial can increase the number of ignorant and unprepared drivers on the road who contribute to many accidents, stalls, and traffic problems.

Rating:

Density: 3
Intensity: 3
Ability: 3
Total: 9

Observation:

Tuesday
October 7, 1997
5:00pm
Channel 5
News
Car Commercial
A farmer and his wife
A farmer and his wife finish a morning?s work and look at their very beat-up and old pick-up truck. The farmer tells his wife that he ?reckons? its time to get a new vehicle. He leaves and then returns in a Nissan sedan driving at high speeds and doing ?doughnuts? in the dirt in front of their house. The wife begins scolding him at which time he says that he ?likes? whatever it is that?s gotten into him (the car).
The commercial last about 30 seconds, this is the main theme.

Analysis and Evaluation:

After watching this commercial, it looks much more enjoyable to go out, buy a new car, and drive recklessly. The farmer prior to having this car appeared rigid and stiff. But after finding this new, modern car, he finds a youthful vibrance and a disregard for what is dangerous or unnecessary. His wife does not understand which leads the viewer to think that you have to drive this car personally to fully understand and appreciate it. Many may do this, and drive with a false sense of confidence. After seeing an old an drive like that, it seems plausible that anyone could.

This commercial clearly leads one to believe that (1) a new car can change your life and your personality, (2) this new car makes it acceptable and/or right to drive dangerously, and (3) you physically can drive recklessly in this car.

Rating:

Density: 5
Intensity: 2
Ability: 5
Total: 12

Observation:

Analysis and Evaluation:

This commercial sets a bad example of not only driving behavior but also of what one does when they go to a car lot. This woman in the commercial is using the car as a lender car, not as a product that is for sale by the very person she has seated in the back seat. In addition to this disrespect, she does not abide by the seat belt law, or impress its importance to her passengers. She also makes quick dangerous stops which can lead to serious problems for anyone traveling behind her, but also for her brakes and tires. This is repeated with her quick acceleration from a stopped position, again very dangerous, as she did not signal, or check her blind spot.

The typical person may be able to tell that this commercial is not realistic as far as what we should do in real-life, but for many, especially younger people, they may be influenced by the youth and popularity of the characters. If they choose to model these characters, several bad driving behaviors may result.

Rating:

Density: 3
Intensity: 3
Ability: 4
Total: 10

Observation:

Analysis and Evaluation:

The driving behavior sense is very exaggerated but aimed at adult who can understand the exaggeration. The danger is that adults can and do make their own decisions regarding how fast they want to drive. Most of us have little to no free time, and is this Dodge Neon can help them save a little time by it?s ability to drive fast, then they may take them up on the offer.

This commercial was not as bad as some seen, but can definitely leave a false sense of safety and ability in the hands of a stressed out, time constricted parent who just has to get some things at the store and go home.

Rating:

Density: 3
Intensity: 3
Ability: 4
Total: 10

Observation:

Analysis and Evaluation:

Although many children?s shows are set within the ?fantasy? world, we cannot assume that a child is able to recognize the appealing fantasy that they may see. Not only does this show include ?bad driving? images like speeding, no seat belt wearing, and fast turns, but it also may lead people (especially children) to believe that they can completely control or trust a vehicle. Even when we are skilled drivers, there are some forces that we do not and cannot foresee or control.

Yes, there is just the obvious danger that a child may think a car is alive or capable of feelings and speech, but I think the bigger issue is the one of the danger involved when one gets behind the wheel of a car.

Rating:

Density: 5
Intensity: 3
Ability: 0
Total: 8

Observation:

Sunday
October 5, 1997
11:10pm
?Night on Earth?
Movie (older)
In this scene there is a young black African American, a foreigner, and a young Puerto Rican woman.
In this scene, the foreigner, who is a cab driver, pulls over to pick up the young black man in order to take him to Brooklyn. The foreigner does NOT know how to drive at all and appears to be pressing on both the brake and the gas making the car jerk abruptly on a busy New York street. The Passenger ends up switching with the driver in order to get home safely, but proceeds to be reckless as well, by looking at the foreigner and elsewhere, where he sees his sister-in-law walking on the side of the road. The two begin a long and drawn out war of words in the car, and the driver is constantly looking in the rear-view mirror at his sister-in-law

Analysis and Evaluation:

This scene takes emphasis away from the main point of a driver?s license. How this foreigner got a license and a taxi is beyond me, but the man should not have been on the road. He has a blatant disregard for everyone else, without even meaning it. It is as if because of the cultural difference, he does not even understand what he has gotten himself into. In addition, his one role model, the African American, is just as bad. He does not use his seat belt, and is more concerned with everything except the road on which he is traveling.

This movie was intended to shed light on stereotypes, but in addition, it gives us a perfect example of how people can slip through the cracks and drive on our roads, endangering everyone?s lives. One thing to keep in mind is to learn to have whatever groups you belong to be responsible drivers. If your best friend drives without a license, she may hurt herself or others, and it?s everyone?s responsibility to help keep our roads as safe as possible, especially if you are a licensed driver. This scene also applies to older siblings or parents. Kids may pick up on bad habits that you are not even aware of. Like in this movie, the foreigner learns to use the rear-view mirror to look at the pretty girl in the back seat, not for any driving purposes.

Rating:

Density: 5
Intensity: 3
Ability: 5
Total: 13

Observation:

Analysis and Evaluation:

Although a good portion of people watching TV are educated enough to know that the characters are fictional, that does not mean that they are not influenced by them. Despite the moral issues, like lying, this scene can make people believe that you can run stop signs and speed, as long as you don?t get caught (and if you do, lie about it). Young people tend to believe they are invincible, and scenes like this may persuade people to try and run stop signs or speed, basically putting their lives and the lives of those around them in serious danger.

Rating:

Density: 4
Intensity: 5
Ability: 4
Total: 13

Observation:

Wednesday
October 8, 1997
10:45pm
Channel 6
?Seinfeld?
Situation Comedy Serial
Jerry Seinfeld, Cozmo Kramer, and a pedestrian.
In one scene, Jerry and Kramer are checking on their friend George?s car, who is out of town. They need to take the car for a ride around the block to have it washed. Kramer is driving with Jerry in the passenger seat, after retrieving the keys from within the car using a coat hanger. They are driving when Jerry noticed a woman walking on the sidewalk wearing just a brassiere and a jacket. As the both stare at her (not the road) Kramer drifts onto the sidewalk and eventually into a pole. He is injured and is bleeding. Jerry then proceeds to drive the almost unrecognizable car back to it?s parking stall at George?s place of employment.
This scene lasts about six minutes, but is the major theme of the rest of the thirty minute show.

Analysis and Evaluation:

Many people have found their eyes or their minds wondering while driving. Not only is this bad driving behavior, but also a very dangerous habit. It is very important for us to be aware of our surroundings at all times while driving, not focused in on one specific (and insignificant) thing.

Being a comedy oriented show, this whole ordeal is dealt with in a humorous way, but it is not at all humorous as a topic. The show lets observers believe that getting into an accident is not a big deal, and does not talk about the reality issues, like insurance, police, and money. Not to mention the fact that this all occurred with a basically ?stolen? car. Responsibility is not shown or even thought of in this show.

Rating:

Density: 4
Intensity: 5
Ability: 5
Total: 14

Observation:

Day ?
Date ?
Time ? (Prime Time)
Non-Cable Channel
?World?s Most Exciting Police Chases?
The characters in this vary, but his is a special show showing police chases all over the world that have proven to be ?exciting.?
The show runs for one hour, and the entire time bad driving is seen. It may be just a seemingly simple refusal to pull over to a multiple car crash induced by a fleeing car?s speed and misjudged steering.

Analysis and Evaluation:

Although I did not have the specifics on this show, I chose it because of the lasting impression it has had on me. The media does tend to have a way of glamorizing car accidents and problems, and this is especially apparent in this show. Not only do you see people fleeing from the POLICE, but you also will see the innocent by-standers and what they have gone through. It is tragic that the ?most exciting? things in life are based on danger involved.

Rating:

Density: 5
Intensity: 5
Ability: 5
Total: 15

I always knew that TV did not always have the best of the best to offer me as far as role models, but I can say that it is more apparent now. I am constantly looking, and I mean really looking at commercials when they come up. I think it?s interesting that bad not only means good as a slang, but also in terms of automobile sales. But what about inside my head? What has gotten in and stuck and effected the way I drive?

Honestly, I never have been a strong advocator of the notion that watching violence on TV makes you violent, so I do carry the same feelings as far as driving goes, but, there?s more to it than what I think. What I think is traced back to the way I was raised, where I grew up, and who I hung around. I am very lucky to have wonderful parents, who are still married and in love, and younger brothers with whom I have good relationships with. Although my friends and I were no angels, we were not entirely bad apples, either. So I know that when you mix all that up into the equation I came out allright. I really believe that I am able to tell reality from make believe and make conscious decisions about driving. But what about when you change this equation?

I don?t think anyone has the one answer that we?re searching for, but in the meantime we do need to do something. I feel the best place to start is yourself. Acknowledge one bad driving behavior and then try to stop it. Then tell a friend about what you did. Hey, you might even start a trend. Yeah, right, but even if we get back to reality where people think their indestructible, a little change in yourself will help someone else down the road. So open your eyes really wide, and take a good hard look the next time a car shows up on your TV.