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Convoys

The results of my investigdynamics of traffic convoys is that, 
the drivers think that because they are driving ina pack, their likelihood of getting a speeding ticket is less, and that becasue they are traveling in a group of cars, those other drivers who feel more pressured into getting out of their way, to not disrupt or intervene in the convoy.  I guess, it relates to control.  One thing I particularly noticed was that there was hardly any older folks driving int hem, and that the cars that made up the convoy was usually on the newer side.  I am curious to think how people would react to a convoy made up of "beach-mobile" kind of cars? Or a convoy of drivers driving slow instead of fast?  Are people more likely going to risk cutting, joining, or disrupting a slow moving convoy rather than fast, because the rate of speed makes each driver mmore susceptable to an aFrom my experience, when I 
feel pressured to keep up, I would rather not drive in convoys because I would rather be able to retain the proper and safe space limit between the car in front of my.  I feel that we should drive relaxed, and not tense.  
    
Driving in convoys, just creates more stress than a person nedds, hey just driving in Oahu traffic is enough, qwhy add the pressure of possibly being involved in an avoidable accident?
Me
From self-witnessing my driving,  I found myself driving in convoys only when driving up and down the Likelike and the Pali, hwne there is no traffic.  I guess I do that because, I feel more safe when there are other cars around me.  Driving over the Pali and Like like could be very dangerous in the event that your car stalls, or you get in an accident, the phones are so far from each other.  Although I do have a cellular phone in my car, I guess I believe that if anything should happen to my car and I need help, a good sumaritan, would call for help, or call in to the radio station like I-94(it is a free call)
to let people know that there is somone stuck that needs help.  I try to avoid convoys when driving on the freeway because I feel that these drivers are just going to fast, and the possibility of making poor judgements and slow reactions  to unexpected situations is not that great, so I rather not chance it.  Many may view joing into a convoy is challenging, andd will get you faster to your final destination.  But in actuality although you may save a few minuetes, it is not worth jeopardizing your life as well as others.   Like I mentioned before, many peole do not realize the possible life threatening results from drivng in convoys.  In the event of an accident the convoy would produce the accordian effect.  Therefore the liklihood of a driver driving in a convoy wilnot be affected if there is an accident is rare.  It is very unfortunate that sometimes it takes a tragic event for people to stop making poor and careless judgements regarding driving.  Maybe more people would stop taking the risk of driving in convoys, if they actually saw actual accidents involving convoys.  I made my observations by trying to actually join into  convoys more than usual, whenever I get a chance,  I find myself actually not being able to because I am too scared to take the risk of causing an accident.  I think my fear derives fro the fact that I don't pay for my car insurance my dad does.  And if I were to ever get into an accident due to my own carelessness, he would probably stop paying for my insurance.  I guess thats why many younger people, drive in convoys because they themselves are not working ansd struggling to pay for things sucha as car insurance.  But yet there are those who do pay, and still do.  But I say let them.  Everyone has to learn in their own way.  I also realized that it is very difficult to really drive in convoys for an extended period of time.  You are always running into unexpected scenarios such as a group of slow cars in the left lane, a cop hiding along side, e, or just  another driver joining or breaking away.  I found that convoys are very popular, especially during the evening and night.  And that because individuals are constantly faced with meeting deadlines, and going my a schedule during the daily activities, it would only be human and natural for us to be pressured into saving time.  So if there is any way possible to accomplish doing or getting somewhere in the least amount of time, everyone would leap at that opportunity, especially if driving is the fastes and most convenient means of transportation.  I think that people are lazy, and that even if free bus passes were given out, many people would still not use it and drive.  I would, who would want to have to stand up 45 minuetes, sweat in the summer if you happen to get on a bus with a broken air conditioner, or sitting next to someone who has body odor, who needs it?!  If I was rich, I would just have a chaeufer.

Implications
	I think the implications of traffic psychology is necessary, becasue we would be educating drivers to be more aware and cautious of their ation, and to teach them that bad habits and tendencies can be changed, anyway its for the sake of saving yourself the possible trouble.  Also through traffic psy, more solutions would be offered, and find other ways to satisfy one's need to "belong" to a group.   Society does teach our children from an early age to be individualistic, be your own person.  But as we grow up we tend to be influenced by others around us. And relate and be with our peers, dealing with peer pressure.  Perhaps in relation to driving, the pressure to conform to drive in convoys is liked tor insecurities.  Those who are insecure of themselves, would be most likely to drive in convoys majority of the time.

Style
	Yes, taking this class absolutely made me look at driving in convoys ina  different light.  I reminded myself, that taking the risk is not worth it.  
My suggestion is that you can think that you are a good driver, but the other person behind, on the side or in front of you may not, and driving ina convoy rpoduces chain reactions so unless you really know how good of a driver the drivers around you are, you shouldn't trust them.  The best possible solution would be to express yourself!!!!

Changing Lanes
	A note from last weeks discussion.  Dr. James that the biggest cause for traffic is due to people changing lanes.  I think that changing lanes does get irritating and slows traffic down, when down, unnecessarirly or excessively.  But I know that changing lanes is inevitable when driving.  Did you ever get stuck driving behind those huge construction trucks? or Buses? going up or down the Pali and LikeLike?  Is irritating especially if youare in a rush and you run into four or five when you are driving.  Don't you think that a thirdlane going to and from the windward side on the Likelike would be great? THe going to the windward side on the Pali has three lanes half of the way, and really helps out when there are buses and huge trucks traveling on them, they prevent the slow down of traffic from cars having to chang lanes fro behind them.

Fight Back
I just have to make a comment on Tod Takitani's words on Mahalo Airlines.  I have heard many stories about Mahalo, my next door neighbor began with the same attitude as Tod.  Its new and cheap, lets give it a try.  The first time her and her kids were stuck at the airport waiting for available seats, because their plane broke.  Mahalo made them wait.  The next time, my neighbor was riding on Mahalo on her way home, she noticed smoke and flames coming out of the engine, she had to tell the flight attendant to tell the captain, they were able t
smell the smoke on board.  Of course that is only two stories about Mahalo's "punctuality and Safety".  I am not just saying this because I am an employee of ALOHA AIRLINES!!!!!!!!!!*******Hey my friend David is a flight attendant for them.  But I think that Mahalo doesn't have enough flights to accomopdate, those passengers who come late and mis their flight for what ever reason.   Once when they had a mechanical on their aircraft, and had to delay the flight, to Kaui, those passengers had to wait for hours, for open seats on other flights.  They would put those passengers that got stuck in HNL on the next available flight first, they made them wait, now is that customer service?  Mahalo doesn't have enough flights to offer good customer service.  Aloha has enough flights to accomadate passengers coming off of delayed flights etc......Wouldn't you rather ride on a plane, without having to wear ear plugs?  You can hear that Mahalo Ailines plane from a mile away, choosing Aloha, means going on a cool, quiet, and comfortable ride.

Treat

	I was thinking about inconsiderate drivers when I remebered a saying I learned years ago, "treat others the way you want to be treated".  I think that goes for driving too.  You yourself need to drive the way you expect/want others to drive.  Meaning practicing safe, conscientious, and courteous driving.  If you only grumble, complain and rebel, you would be a hypocrit.  So, when you as an individual can "PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH", you have the right to complain about others.  

Ride Along

	Did anyone one every go on a police ride along before?  Well I did.  My friend is a police officer at the Kalihi station, and one night I went on a ride along with him(ride along means just patroling with the officer).  Although I was freaking out at the homeless people, kids, and housing areas in Kalihi, I found myself, sweating, holding on to my seat belt while riding with my friend, the officer.  I didn't want to coment on his driving, because I didn't want to get left on one of those side streets in Kalihi at 2am, I waited.  When he got called to a fight, he turned on his siren and sped through the streets, I was so scared I was screaming my head off!  Even though I was legitimately riding in a speeding car, I almost past out.  Later I told my friend, how can you guys give out tickets for reackless driving and speeding when, you folks do it?!  He said they have good reason to speed because the are in situations where every minute could determine life or death.  Do you think that the way police officers drive influence other drivers?  Do you think they have a legitimate reason to speed?  Well, how many miles over the speed limit is considered speeding anyway?  Policemen usually don't give tickets out unless the driver is going more than 10 miles over the speed limit.  So, drivers actually have some lee-way.