Cheddiemae deRizzio, G8/Psy459

Past Generations definitions of Traffic Psychology and my comments on each:

1.  Jae Isa says: "tailgating as driving extremely close to the car in front of you."   She feels it
is an unjustifiable behavior, regardless of the situation. She also believes tailgating should
be more legally enforced to ensure the safety of drivers. She strongly believes that
tailgating another driver increases the chance of an accident. Finally, she feels that
tailgating is a type of harassment because one is trying to purposely force themselves on
another driver.

Comments:  I really agree with Jae's definition.  I thought that it incorporated all aspects that I would put in a Traffic Psychology definition.
 
 
2.  Chris Muranaka says:  "What is Traffic Psychology? To put it simply, Traffic Psychology is the study of traffic and the effect it has on the driving behavior of all road users. A chief function of Traffic Psychology is that it serves to enlighten us. Traffic Psychology allows us retrain individuals in re-establishing their rational thoughts amid potential conflicts. Further more, this discipline allows us then to rethink and ponder the consequences of our actions and those of others.

Comments:  I am not sure that I totally agree with this definition, because I do not think that Traffic Psychology is a study of traffic.  I think that it is a study of people's emotions due to the effects of traffic.  However, I do believe that Traffic Psychology allows us to think about the consequences of our actions and serves to re-train individuals.
 
 
3. Dina Takahashi says:  "Traffic psychology is the term used to describe the process in which various methods are implemented in order to modify driving behavior. These methods include Self Witnessing and Quality Driving Circles. Realization of a driving disability is necessary in order to begin the modification process. Without this realization, the driver will proceed with the self-centered mindset. A person's driving behavior is influenced by the affective (feelings), cognitive (thoughts), and sensorimotor (actions) domains. Every action taken on the road is a combination of these three areas.

Comments:  I agree with Ms. Takahashi's definition.  I thought that by incorporating the affective, cognitive and sensorimotor domains, that this added depth to her definition.
 
 

4.  Kim Oshiro says:  "traffic psychology is a way of instilling self-discipline, compassion,
selflessness and kindness toward humankind. It is really a tool to bring about the teaching of basic
moral principles and values; a basis for teaching etiquette, not just on the road, but for all other
aspects of life as well."
 

Comments:  This definition, I thought was most representative of what Traffic Psychology actually is, in that it says that Traffic Psychology is not only improving driving behavior, but also helps us to become better people.  I think that the whole point of Traffic Psychology is to help us become better people by teaching us to deal with emotions that arise due to negative or positive effects of driving.  Traffic Psychology not only modifies our driving but our personality as well.
 
 
 
5.  Mary Elizabeth Pacheco says:  "What is Traffic Psychology?
                        Traffic psychology is a seminar course that explores traffic
                     psychology and its application to the internet.  This course covers
                      such topics as psychology of road rage, driving self-assessment
                        and self modification techniques as well as quality driving
                                             circles.
 

Comments:  I did not like this definition at all.  I thought that it did not sound like a definition that she thought of herself and I would be more interested in hearing her views on what Traffic Psychology is.
 

     A major principle in Traffic Psychology is that driving behavior includes three very important features.  The affective domain which incorporates feelings and motives, the cognitive domain which includes thoughts and judgements and the sensorimotor domain which includes sensory and motor input.
     All three are present in our behavior while driving even if we are not aware of it because things are occuring so rapidly.
 
 

My Experiences as a driver, pedestrian, cyclist and a passenger

     As a driver, so far I think that I have had pretty pleasant experiences.  For one thing, my own mother had actually said that she feels safe driving with me and I happen to think that she is my biggest critic, so for her to say that it means a lot to me.
     However, I went home for Christmas and one night I was driving my friend's car from Manhattan to Queens.  We were on the expressway and she commented "Do you always drive this fast?"  I couldn't understand what she meant because as far as I could see, I was only keeping up with the flow of traffic.  Her speedometer is broken and so I do not know how fast I was actually driving.  I clearly remember, however, that there were cars that were passing me, so I could not have been going that fast.
     I did not slow down, totally disregarding her feelings.  I thought that she only said this because she drives at 40mph on the expressway (which is why I offered to drive us home), and I think it is so irritating that people choose to go slow on the expressway when it is clear that it is reserved for motorists who need to get somewhere.
     Had I taken this class before Christmas, I would have been able to use my cognitive domain to think about my friends feelings and keep in mind what her thoughts were (anxious, scared) instead of terrorizing my passenger...who in fact have rights.
 
 
 

     I can be somewhat of a nuisance to the driver because I tend to remind them to put their indicator on before turning, or my body language says to them that they are going too slow (seeing that I have become accustomed to going a certain speed).  I do no think that I am always consciously aware of what I am doing.  I think it is just second nature.
     I have actually had friends who has threatened to let me walk home instead of letting me dictate the way they drive.  I do not think that the advice that I offer should be taken as a personal attack on the driver, but perhaps my approach needs to be altered.  My approach should be more tactful in offering this constructive criticism.  From taking this class I am now more aware of the drivers feelings and take into consideration that if the situation was reversed, I do not believe that I would like it.
 
 
 

     I sometimes feel very anxious when I walk down the street because I know that there are people that actively participate in road rage on a regualar basis.  I feel that some motorists do not give pedestrians the right that they deserve and they set out to terrorize them.  I've had some egotistical idiot rev his engine because maybe he thought I was going too slow in the crosswalk.  I was startled for a minute because I thought that he had accelerated with the intentions of hitting me.
     On the other hand I feel that some pedestrians abuse their power and take it for granted that motoists have to look out for them.  There are some people who just walk out in traffic claiming that it is their right as a pedestrian and of course if they get hit, they are ready to sue.
 
 
 

     Ever since I have had the accident on my bicycle, I have suffered a mini traumatic experience and I now refuse to ride my bicylcle to school (also it is way to hard riding up the hill and I would often walk the bike up the hill, which simply defeats the whole purpose).
     I remember thinking that since I was in the crosswalk, having had the right of way which was determined by the green light, that nothing would happen to me and it was safe to cross the street.  However, a car came out of nowhere and hit me.  I didn't have time to react and I wasn't even sure what had occurred until a few seconds later.
     The cops eventually came and they told the guy who hit me that he could leave and kept me for over an hour so they could issue ME a ticket.  I missed my classes that day and to make matters worse I had to be taken home in a police car because my bike had been so badly damaged.  I felt really betrayed by our justice system because once again the victim is made to appear as if they are the guilty party.  The cops kept harping on the fact that my bicycle had not been registered, instead of the real issue at hand, that of the motorist approaching the red light too fast (possibly not intending to stop in the first place), and hitting me in the crosswalk (clearly mistaken by all to be a safe zone).
     I felt really mad a the whole world (affective domain) and it made me want to go out and get this guy (cognitive domain) especially after he tried to kick the front wheel of my bicycle straight, clearly stating to me that he knew that he was wrong.
    Since that incident I have not been able to have a pleasant experience when I go bike riding (sensorimotor domain), I always expect something bad to happen.
 
 
 

     I think it is important for future generations that they know how to define Traffic Psychology and understand what it really means.
     I think a good thing for them to do is to be consciously aware of their feelings in the situations of a driver, passenger, pedestrian and cyclist.  They could possibly make notes as their feelings are occurring so that they can accurately report them later on.  Also they can begin to think about what causes people to speed, tailgate, drink and drive or consciously terrorize others on the roads.  They could think of how their affective, cognitive and sensorimotor domains are affected if they are ever in a situation like this.  Lastly they could think of interesting solutions to solving these problems.
 
 
 

     By doing this report, it made me really think back on various experiences that I have had and the feelings that occurred.  I do believe that many people are not conscious of their behavior and the effects it has had on ther people.  This project had served as therapy for me because I was able to ponder events and have a clearer understanding as to why things  happened.
     It is important to realize that the whole purpose of Traffic Psychology is not only to modify the way a person drives, but also to modify the personality as well.  It is aimed at making better people in general on the roads.