Speaking about driving personality, I would say that I am a defensive driver. But, there are times that I noticed that I need to change some of my attitudes toward driving. Some of the following behaviors that I need to improve or make changes are the following: (1) to be able to avoid swearing when driving (2) to be able to use of turning head when making signals. Those are the two things that I plan to change. I knew that changing behavior is difficult to accomplish but it can be done by having a self-modification which involves setting rules for oneself in order to reach one's goal.
First, I chose of avoiding swearing in my driving because I noticed that I
swear some of the times, especially when other driver tried to cut in front of
me. Actually, I only swear when I get upset. So, I knew that if other drivers
go below the speed limit and changed lane without signaling in front of me, I
would swear. I noticed that I would say shit or f _ _ _ _ everytime I
encountered
some of the reckless drivers. Like for example, there this red Honda civic car
who just zoom in and cut in front of me without signaling, and his car was
really close and I almost hit him, good thing I have been able to control my
brakes. To tell you the truth, I do not swear when talking or mingling with
other people. It is like I am totally different persona when I am driving
behind the wheels. I guess I am not aware of whatever I says when driving
alone because nobody would hear me or comment about me except for myself. So,
It depends on the situation of how many times I would say some bad words.
Based on my observation that I have jot down in the card after driving on the
road, I actually swear at least three or four times a day. It is so amazing
that other drivers influenced or affected me to swear.
Solutions in Swearing
I know that I cannot control their actions to driving but I can manage
to say things in a nice way.
I also noticed that when I started to watch my behavior in saying bad words, it
started to diminish and I felt so uncomfortable. I also noticed that I mainly
swear when alone driving, so when I was in that situation, I gave myself
instructions: "Don't swear, If I do swear I do pinch myself. Also, it helped
me change my attitude towards swearing when I do think that I have some
passengers or company. I figured swearing is not really a good thing to do
because I am hurting other person's feelings, eventhough they cannot hear me, I
am still violated the norms of respecting others. Bryan
Yucoco said that
it is not good to swear because the person will be picking up bad habit
from him and be a victm. So, I am working on my
swearing and If I do encounter those reckless drivers, I would try myself to
say "My goodness or Oh! my God," which I think would be more appropriate or
accepted in the society. In fact, our manners tell a great deal about the kind
of person we are. If we are genuinely kind and considerate of the feelings of
others, we will naturally do and say things that make them feel comfortable and
at ease. To realize the importance of good manners to personality like
avoiding swearing, simply think of whether or not we are immediately attracted
to a person who is rude and thoughtless.
Secondly, I chose of improving turning head when making signals. I
do noticed that when I changed lanes, I only look at the side view mirror. I
knew this would be dangerous, but I actually ignore of turning my
head.
Red Hill Phobia
I finally learned from my mistakes, when one incident happened one day
when I was
driving on the freeway going town bound, right at the Red Hill side when I
failed to turn my head on my left side when coming to a merge and there's an
upcoming vehicle and I did not see the car on my side view mirror. I was
shocked and blushed of what I did because I thought a massive crash would
occur, but thank goodness the other driver pressed on his brakes and let me
pass in front of her.
Effect of Apology
After that bad incident, I took a deep breath and
apologize to the driver by saying sorry when she changed lane on my left side.
The driver was really angry and she gave me a stink eye, but when I said sorry
her face was kindly back into shape--no more wrinkle on her forehead.
Realization About Changing
Lane
I was
ashamed of myself because what I did was totally wrong and that time on I told
myself that I would never do it again because I am putting up myself in danger
as well as the other drivers. From that incident I actually succeeded of
changing my behavior, because I told myself that my life is really important as
well as others, and I will be responsible for my actions. I would certainly
not allow my conscience to haunt me of hurting someone with my own hands
like what Shane
Akagi's belief. In
this incident , I would say that accident don't just happen. They are caused
by poor drivers, and these causes can be removed? How? By convincing ourselves
that job can be done and arousing ourselves to the consequences of our actions.
To be honest, I developed some kind of phobia everytime I pass by to that Red
Hill road, but right now I am okay because I am exposed to that area since I
pass by there going to school. What I found out is that, you learn from your
mistakes like what I experienced, and that improper behavior would actually
shift to a positive one if you would have the will to do it and dedication for
yourself. In this case, the importance of traffic psychology is to make
desired behaviors become habitual.
Conclusions:
Regardless of our background, environment, and the influence of other people on our life, we are largely responsible for the kind of personality we have. All persons are different from one another not only because of the different experiences and attitudes we have had especially in driving, but also because of the way we have accepted and manage the things that have happened to us. In this case, changing our driving personality towards driving. In this assignment, I learned a lot on how to make changes in my behavior. I found out that change is a slow process demanding conscious effort and commitment, and one should give herself/himself some time before someone expect any changes to happen. Also, change needs to be self-motivated.
Overall, this plan helped me to be a good traffic psychologist because I self-witnessed my own behavior and assessed what needs to be change and done. My thoughts, feelings and actions toward driving really improved, realizing that I can help myself by having patience and perseverance to do the plan. So, to be successful in driving personality make over plan, I would say that you need a careful planning, there should be a target behaviors of what needs to be change, an antecedent and some kind of reinforcers to motivate behavior.