My Report 1:
Quality Driving Circles
Wendy Tagomori
Report 1
University of Hawai'i-Fall 1998
Psychology 459
Dr. Leon James
Instructions
for Report
My
Homepage
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Prior Generational Report Summaries: Learning from Experience
My Quality Driving Circle
The Future of Quality Driving Circles
Introduction: Seeing is Believing
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Life is filled with endless possibilities of getting into an accident.
Is this statement true or false? Well, if you said true then we have very
similar logical reasoning. However, many of us take extreme precautions
to avoid getting into these accidents or situations. While other individuals
have the "No Fear" attitude and end up not realizing what effects their
actions can have to those around them or even themselves. In my report,
readers will find selections from past generations that deal with specific
ideas and concepts related to Traffic Psychology, a driving personality
test designed to see if you have road rage, discussions and results
of my Quality Driving Circle (QDC), and Driving Improvement Resources on
the Web for further assistance.
Managing a Quality Driving Circle was a useful experience in finding hidden
information about the way I think, behave, and feel. It also required a
lot of time and patience in leading a group like this because I had to
read all I could about Traffic Psychology, the Nine Zones of your Driving
Personality, the writings of past generations, and Dr. Driving's Three-Step
Program just to get down the basics in case of an emergency. Emergency
meaning having disagreements or unclear definitions while in the group
discussions and being able to back up my position. I didn't realize how
much preparation there is to lead such a group. Thus, before I even started
my group sessions I expected there to be many conflicting opinions because
each member had their own driving personality. However, as I began my group
I was kind of shocked and surprised to see how open they were in trying
to modify their driving behavior. Currently, I believe having a group setting
gives more motivation on trying to change one's behavior rather than working
on it by yourself because there is more feedback from other people's observations
that might have gone unnoticed when you do self-observation.
Prior Generations Report Summaries: Learning From Experience
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Generation 9
Irene
Barrineau Report
I enjoyed Ms. Barrineau's report. I started
my research on Quality Driving Circles here because she gave a great description
of and instructions for Quality Driving Circles. She didn't discuss
any QDC's that she had done, but her report did provide a lot of insight
into what I needed to do to establish one. I read through her 6 week
schedule and altered a little to respond to the special needs of the members
of my Quality Driving Circle as well as to the timliness of this report.
Generation 2
Alan
Furukawa
In Alan's report, he calls the individualistic approach a "driving bubble".
As a driver, one has many responsibilities and duties that they have to
be aware of while driving but once a person tries to burst this bubble
of yours, you may feel that they need some form of punishment or your aggressive
driving behaviors becomes to surface. Alan Furukawa has devised his own
Driving Personality Makeover Plan in an attempt to change the very root
of the problem, the "bad attitude towards other drivers". His plan was
a reasonable and gradual process of development which after each step builds
a stronger foundation towards change. In this report, I feel that he has
made a strong point in saying that, "I believe that I must force myself
to become aware of the things that I do as a driver when I feel that I
have been "provoked" by another and stop myself from attempting any kind
of retaliation. Rather than get angry at another driver for something that
is totally insignificant, I will have to acknowledge the reason rather
than just judge the driver as trying to "piss me off" and feel the need
to do something bad". Another focus in Alan's report is to "practice what
you preach". This is very similar to the saying, "Actions speak louder
than words". A person can say that they will plan to change but if it never
happens then can we take them seriously the next time?
Sheldon
Tawata
One of the reasons why I chose Sheldon's report is because he talked about
the use of mopeds. Like him, I use a moped to commute to school and that
"I used to think that I was invincible". I had feelings that nothing could
harm me and as a result I could get rid of traffic by weaving in and out
of cars. In his report he mentions extreme defensive driving in which "everyone
else is wrong and all drivers should obey and accept the moped driver's
actions". As in most cases of thrill seekers, it is not until they get
into accidents before they begin to realize how foolish their actions may
be. As a result, he has formulated a Driving Personality Makeover. The
archives contain numerous stories about student's personal attempts at
a Driving Personality Makeover, as well as moral support for those who
are still reluctant to try it." I would advise future generations and browsers
to read some of these reports just to get more information and examples
of their makeover.
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My Quality Driving Circle
I suprisingly had no problem finding enough members to join my quality
driving circle. When I looked around at our QDC, I was happy to see
that there were so many different driving types of personalities in our
group. The members of my group are:
1) Wendy Tagomori, Group Leader, College Student. Speedy but not
aggressive driver.
2) Denise Tagomori, College student. Speed Limit driver. Very
timid on the road.
3) Nathan Chang, Banker. Very cautious driver.
4) Jon David Chun. Flight Attendant. Risk Taking driver.
5) Dennis Tagomori, retired. Impatient driver.
Unfortunately by the time we all had time to get together for our first
meeting, it was October 16. We all met at my apartment and everyone
potlucked dinner which made the session casual and fun. Our first
meeting basically focused on getting to know each other and the concept
of a QDC better. Everyone shared with the group what kind of a driver
they thought they were and what they would like to change about their driving.
We all agreed to self witness our driving within the next week and bring
our reports to the next session. I explained tot he group that carrying
a tape recorder while driving is the easiest way, but if they don't have
one, they could just write down their thoughts and experiences while driving
after they get to their destination. We scheduled our second meeting
for a week later, October 23. We met at the same time and same location
and this time I ordered pizzas. Everyone shared their experiences
throughout the week. It was very interesting to hear all of the self
witnessing reports because everyone, myself included, seemed to blame the
"other driver" for many of the bad feelings they had while driving.
Denise, the timid driver, claimed that the other drivers were all reckless
and careless and drove too fast thus making her feel scared on the road.
Dennis stated that women drivers didn't know how to drive and made him
impatient.
Dr. James made an important distinction between the because and the
when in class. In regards to not assuming the causation because of
any correlation. None of us took ownership of our feelings.
I picked up on this and adressed it to the group. The group got a
little defensive at first, then as we discussed further I think we made
great strides. Everyone realized that the feelings and emotions that
they had whether it was fear, rage, or impatientness all came from themselves
and not necessarily from the other driver. We talked about different
ways to combat some of the negative emotions that was being felt.
This was the last meeting before my report was due, but we did agree to
meet twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. No one in the group
had a tremendous road rage problem, but just meeting and talking in a non
threathening and casual environment so far has helped us to be more comfortable
and secure behind the wheel.
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The Future of Quality Driving Circles
What does the future hold for Quality Driving Circles?
I think that Quality Driving Circles should become formal organized meetings
that are funded by different companies and organizations as a way of educating
our drivers. For example car companies, car insurance companies,
the government, and other private companies. QDCs could also become
a big institution in the private environment as well. Concerned drivers
could everywhere could implement these self help groups privately like
I have done or it could become synonymous with groups such as Alcoholics
Anonymous. Dr. Driving has recommended that courts could use QDCs
in the treatment of those who have speeding tickets. I think that
there will be a lot of resistance to QDCs mainly because most people don't
believe that they need to reform their driving habits. Even after
getting a ticket or into a major accident, people do not feel like they
have a problem that needs help. Therefore, I believe that QDCs will
take a lot of determined people and some eye opening in the community before
it takes on. Once it does, however, I feel that QDCs can change our
driving community for the better and make the roads a much safer and more
comfortable place to be.
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How can we promote QDCs?
To promote this activity, we as drivers should voice our opinions to companies
and organizations. Explain in detail what a QDC could do to benefit
that specific organization and the community at large. For example,
a car insurance company could offer small discounts to drivers who participate
in these QDCs. In return, the insurance company would know that those
drivers are serious about being a good driver and are constantly getting
help and education to be one. Car companies could show their customers
that they care about their safety in the car even after the sale.
This will build trust in that particular company. Government organizations
that regulate driving could finally start rehabilitating and educating
repeat and one time offenders. This will obviously alleviate the
amount of people coming through the court systems, and the amount of time
the police officers need to be on the road policing this.
In a time of budget constraints, I feel that QDCs are a cost effective
sollution to a major problem facing the government officials and private
companies. Excessive car accidents and traffic tickets are a big
expense and this is a simple but huge step towards the solution.
I very strongly believe that the way for our generation and future ones
to promote this great solution is to talk up the benefits and educate everyone
about it. The stumbling block here is ignorance and the answer is
education.
Epilogue
This paper was very interesting to write because
I got a chance to participate. I first researched through the internet
and through past generational reports and the more I read, the more that
I became excited. After going through an actual Quality Driving Circle,
I was even more excited. I realized just how much a QDC could benefit
the driving community. I didn't really feel that I had a problem
with my driving, and still don't, but now I know that I can still become
a better driver and citizen because I am a part of a QDC. I will
continue to talk to others about QDCs and continue to be a member and leader
in my own. Hopefully, by my educating others even outside of Traffic
Psychology class, I will be able to make a difference in making QDCs a
reality.
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