Becoming A Better Driver
by Marissa Muraoka
(Instructions for this report)
1. What is a QDC?
A Quality Driving Circle (QDC) is the newest traffic psychology approach to spread driving awareness. Developed by Dr. Leon James (DrDriving), QDCs are intended to provide a "Lifelong Driver Education Program" that everyone can participate from anyplace at any time. As more features are added to cars drivers must learn how to use them and operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Dr. James proposes that regularly scheduled meetings of a handful or more drivers to "discuss their driving life" is all that needs to be done for now. QDCs can be face-to-face or virtual.
2. The first online QDC I participated in is a good idea, and has potential for success. The gathering of ideas, working through exercises, and discussing them openly with others has changed my negative driving behaviors into positive ones. Although this web-based QDC good, my idea of a QDC would have to be a "family-based QDC" (face-to-face) where family members come together and share their driving experiences. A good time for my family to do this would be at dinner time. Everyone would have had their share of driving or being a passenger and something can always be talked about. The family-based QDC can be a life-long project for everyone involved. If children move out of the nest then the face-to-face QDC can be continued virtually.
3. QDCs are needed. As car manufacturers are designing "safer" cars the way we look at ourselves as drivers changes. If a car makes us feel safer, we think differently, and therefore act differently. An added feature of a car can change our entire perspective of driving. For more information on QDCs please see DrDriving's QDC web page: http://aloha.net/~dyc/qdc.html
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SWR #1 TEE 44C2 & 44C2
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It's easy to blame someone while driving if I see something
that's out of the norm. I do keep in mind that it may not
necessarily be their fault. In order to avoid making a situation
stressful, I have learned to try to change the way I think. If I am
able to keep a clear head as a driver I will be more apt to look ahead and
avoid any obstacles. As a driver I have never rolled down my window
to yell angrily at someone, although I must admit, I mutter under my
breath at times. I must try to change that so my passengers cannot
hear me. I do not wish to have them learn bad driving habits to feel
uncomfortable.
I do not drive power hungry. As far as being in heavy traffic in the far left hand lane and whishing to switch to the right lane so I can make a right turn at the next intersection, I try to plan ahead at all times. I know that there may not be an opportunity to cut into the lane as I get closer to the exit. |
In the first SWR I was trying to evaluate my past driving behavior - my behavior before I was a participant of the online QDC. I assessed my emotions and found that I usually am observant of what happens around me, and I am mindful of what can come out from my mouth. By being mindful of what I say, and admitting that I do mutter under my breath I can change the way I think about any situation. For example, if someone is tailgating me it can either distress me and make me burn holes through the rear view mirror (I must constantly look behind me), or I can shrug off that distressing feeling off with positive thoughts. Tailgating can be distressing because it is like someone invading my personal space. This is not the only solution to alleviate a stressful situation, so for more information please see DrDriving's web site.
Tee card 44C2 covered "symptoms of confrontational thinking: paranoia, suspicion, and blame". Confrontational thinking can lead to road rage, and lead to power hungry drivers. As drivers we must share the road. There is no room for power hungry drivers who feel they must punish those who do wrong. This type of act can be modified by changing the way one thinks and by keeping emotions on check.
Performing an emotions check before, during, and after driving is a good idea. This is a lifelong process, and it helps me with my thinking and behavior.
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Response SWR #1 Author: Amin
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I think that Marissa is right when she says that she changed her thinking. It's a bad habit to think me first. I hope I can change my thinking too by simply obeying the rules, which I don't always do. Like stopping completely at a stop sign, because I might scare people. Or signaling before I switch lanes, otherwise someone else who signaled in before me might have gotten there at the same time. Thanks Marissa. |
Amin made a comment to my first SWR, and what I got from it was that the author also sees that a change of thinking can improve a driving situation. She wants to try to make this change because she may feel threatened by her driving. Amin acknowledges that she fails to drive by the book.
When someone acknowledges that there is a problem then they will be on their way to the next step - working on how to go about to get rid of the problem. If amin keeps up with her QDC participation, or gets a driving buddy then I think she will become a more successful driver.
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SWR #2 TEE 1C1 Top Ten Aggressive Behaviors - Which Ones Do You Do?
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After reading 'The Nation's Top Ten Driving Offenses' (TEE Card # 1C1), I observed myself as a driver for a week. Of all the offenses listed I have not committed a single one. Driving from Manoa to Pearl City and around town, I am pleased to say that I have been a good driver. Just because I read the TEE Card before my exercise I did not change the way I drive to avoid committing an offense. I feel that I do try to drive with caution, and I try to remain calm while driving. If I were to commit an offense I would feel guilty. I also had my "driving buddy" read this TEE Card and help me to keep check. |
TEE 1C1 has list of driving offenses that should not be done. In fact, the driving offenses listed must not be done. If a person gets caught by the police a ticket may be issued. Who likes tickets? I sure do not. Committing any driving offense goes against my morals, what I believe and what I was taught as I learned to drive. When I received my driver's license as a teenager my parents threatened to confiscate my license and driving privileges if I ever got a ticket, or got into an accident. Their scare tactic worked then, and it still works today!
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SWR #3 TEE 2C1
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Traffic was quite light Sunday morning as I went from Manoa to Ala Moana. Part of the way was on freeway, and the remaining was on highway. I did not subconsciously keep track of the cars I passed or passed by me, take not which lane is faster or slower, whether someone 'forced' me to brake, the amount of lights I made without having to stop, and on down the 'Gunny Sacking' List (Tee card 2C1). I am somewhat guilty of taking note of how long it took me to get from point A to point B in the past, but I did not speed. It usually depended on how heavy or light the traffic was. I do not weave through traffic or honk my way through. You know how it is right? Some days you just get to your destination a little later or earlier than it took you the day before. |
"As soon as our gunny-sack of complaints is full on any particular trip," Dr. Leon James writes in TEE 2C1, "we sense the passion of self-righteousness swell in our chest, and we feel justified in letting it fly, exploding with rage, with disapproval, with condemnation, with thoughts of violence." I did not subconsciously keep track the behaviors listed on the Gunny Sacking list. I feel there are better things to keep track of than the amount of cars I pass, how many cars pass me, which lane is faster or slower, and so forth. I can expand my energies into becoming more aware of my surroundings, and being more attuned to other drivers.
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SWR #4 TEE 4C1
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Tee Card 4C1 was a great checklist to check my road rage tendency. When I checked myself, I found I had three check mark in the 'on SOME trips' column, and seven checks in the 'NEVER' column. That means I'm a pretty good driver, right? Well, here's what a passenger marked me with: one check on the 'on SOME trips' column, and nine in the 'NEVER' column. What do you think? I only drive around the town area, and I hardly get to venture out further than that. I drive both in the day and at night. I do try to avoid driving during morning and afternoon rush hour traffic, and catch the bus instead. That means one less car on the road. |
Knowing where I stand as a driver, and seeing how my passengers rate me as a driver is beneficial because it can show me the areas where I can improve on, or keep up the good work. TEE 4C1 shows symptoms that may lead to road rage. To think about my road rage tendencies can help me to improve my sensorimotor habits as a driver. In addition, taking note of the road rage tendency of a driver as a passenger is a good exercise for me to do when I have a chance to ride in a car with someone. I can see the good or bad aspects of another person's driving, avoid making their mistakes, and learn from their good driving habits.
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SWR #5 TEE 8C2
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Phase 2 of The Driver's Threefold Self would best describe me today. I think I was in Phase 1 when I was a driver during my high school years. When I started college I did not have the opportunity to drive as frequently as I once did. I began to realize that my past driving experiences were not good ones. It took me awhile to get into the habit of not blaming others, and it took a class like this to learn to be a more supportive driver. I am more aware of myself, and of the errors I make. |
The Driver's Threefold Self has two phases. I feel that a good driver is a Phase 2 driver. In order to be a Phase 2 driver, the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor self of Phase 1 must be addressed. I feel that when I am aware I have problems with "feelings of competitiveness", or am aware of the "errors" I make, then I can acknowledge that I have a problem, and go through the process of making a healthy change.
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Response to SWR #5 Author: Sandee
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I agree with you about being a Phase 2 driver now, but not in the past. When I was younger, I think I was a very aggressive driver. When I think about it now it seems so stupid and ridiculous because I had no experience as a driver but yet chose to drive so carelessly. I guess the old saying of getting wiser as you get older is true. |
In reply to my fifth SWR, Sandee took a look at her driving and wrote that she is also a Phase 2 driver today whereas in the past she was not. She "thinks" she was a "very aggressive driver". Sandee can take her learning a step further by having someone observe her while she drives. This would eliminate the guessing game and give her a good foundation on which to start. Sandee could also keep a driving log and write down her thoughts, feeling, and behavior. A log, like this does not only need to be for drivers, but passengers can keep one as well.
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SWR #6 TEE 9C2
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A year ago. I learned various strategies for managing anger by lurking in newsgroups and reading students' generational reports. One strategy employed the use of alternative reasoning. For example, when someone tailgates me now, and I cannot move out of their way, I "pretend I am 6-years-old at Disney World on the roller coaster." Another strategy that easily comes to me is "Count your blessings. Forgive and forget." I feel that this strategy comes hand in hand with thinking of alternative reasoning. I don't allow a negative event cloud my thinking. For example, last week as I was driving to Manoa, a car suddenly popped into my lane from their left turn only lane, and just missed colliding into the front of my car. There was lots of room behind me, as no one was there. I thought that the person had a bathroom emergency and couldn't hold on much longer. Of the strategies listed I liked those the best. |
Anger management techniques is used in everyday life. It can also be used as a driving tool to avoid deadly thoughts about road rage. I looked at the various techniques, and tried to use them when I see fit. The strategy of reasoning readily pops in my head, and helps me to calmly think through my options. There are many techniques a person can use; it is just a matter of trying various techniques and seeing which ones work best. What works well for me may not work for you.
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SWR #7 TEE 15C2
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I haven't been behind the wheel for awhile, but I have applied the 3-Step program in my driving in the past. If I catch myself going slightly above the speed limit, I ease my foot off from the gas. I think that my speeding would probably scare others, and I know that I can get pulled over. Once I think it over I am able to better get into the groove of things and maintain a constant speed. |
No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. "Most drivers think themselves as "excellent" and are not aware of their own mistakes or habits" (TEE 15C2, Dr. Leon James). The first step in implementing a driving personality makeover is "acknowledgement". In my SWR #7 I acknowledged that I have a lead-foot at times. Sometimes my passengers notice before I do and bring that to my attention. Once I see that I am speeding (speeding because I may not be paying attention or some other reason), I am able to "modify" my "habit" and bring my speed down.
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SWR #8 TEE 30C6
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Sometimes when road rage takes over it's hard for a person to think clearly as depicted in the shoot-out article. Although both men had ample opportunity to stop, take a breath, and realize that they are facing a life or death situation, they kept up their power struggle. It's not unheard of that people carry guns in their car. To them it gives them the advantage in cases in which they feel a victim of. Without their gun they feel powerless, almost like the little boy being picked on by the bully. As for the men, it could have been a case of, "admit you're wrong, put your gun down, and I'll do the same." In any event, it would have been best if they had not carried guns in the first place. |
Today there are more reported stories of road rage than there were in the past. The media wants the public to be more aware that road rage is becoming a problem. By analyzing any article related to road rage and discussing it within a QDC or just to others it can help people see similar behaviors that they can avoid to become a statistic. The stories say that "it can happen to anyone".
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SWR #9 TEE 2C1
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Discussing scenes of drivers behaving badly with the family
or a class is a good way for everyone to come together. I think
encouraging children to keep a TV log of this is a good way to get them to
realize the importance that what they see on TV is make believe.
This would be a good summer activity if the children do not attend summer
school. Teachers could also make this into an English writing
assignment or an art project.
Parents could teach their children what happens when a person is shown talking on the phone and waving their arms at the same time, or talking to their passengers. They could explain it as the background moving instead of the car actually moving. It would also be good if parents explain that TV shows contain Hollywood stunts and special effects. Children have to realize that the dangerous driving behaviors they see are controlled and are made to look like reality. The characters are just acting. |
Here I am trying to state the importance of educating children about driving. Dr. James said that children model after their parents, and the moment children are put into those child seats, the driving experience begins. If children are born as "blank slates", then parents can steer their children to be healthy drivers. There are many scenes on television where drivers behave badly, and we must help children see the distinction between what is acceptable and what is not.
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SWR #10 TEE 55C2 & 57C2
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The proposal for lifelong driver education K through 12 and
quality driving circles looks good. Throughout my elementary and
high school days I have caught the bus to and from school. A lot of
driving education begins there. For example the bus driver would
tell everyone to sit in their seats, not stand up in the isles, and not
shout or distract the driver. She wouldn't tell us why though.
This teaches the students to be obedient and have respect for others.
I remember one of the bus drivers who shuttled students to and from high school. He would tailgate, speed, ignore everyone in the bus. He was not a friendly person! His behavior scared me, and I never wanted to become a rude driver like him. Today, I seldom get angry when I drive. During my recent driving excursions I have not gotten angry. I was able to control my behavior, and I did not need to use any stress reduction techniques. I pray for patience and try to be a better driver everyday. |
Lifelong quality driving circles is what we should strive for right now. I believe that if we look within ourselves, there is bound to be something that can be changed. We must control our emotions and not let our emotions control us.
I have dedicated many hours each week as an online QDC participant. My participation has enabled me to take a look at my driving and see what improvements can be made. This report showed me the areas I could have elaborated upon in my SWR, and I feel I understand the importance of the TEE Cards more. My online QDC participation and this report will help me to become a better driver. I will also try to teach others the importance of lifelong quality driving circles, and tell them what I got out from it. Road rage can be avoided if you know what to look for.
This report began as soon as I completed my tenth Self-Witnessing Report entry. Throughout this QDC report I evaluated my driving experience and learned from it. There is always more to learn as new cars are being made each year. I learned that my fellow classmates developed a better understanding of their driving too, and I feel that the QDC participation has enhanced their driving experience. They are more aware of what happens out on the road, and ways to get through any situation.
Participate in a Quality Driving Circle and keep it for life. See if you can find any weaknesses in these QDC reports that students write, and write how you feel we did as the first online QDC group. Tell us what we could try in addition to what we already did, and tell us if any of our observations helped you to become a better driver, and how.
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