Report 3: Traffic Psychology on the Internet

Driving is some parts in our daily routine activities. Each individual has different ways or attitudes toward driving. Driving involves all the activities that are performed during a trip. In a trip, a driver is affected by other users of highway and his car . So, in this report, I will be discussing of how certain individuals feel or react toward tailgating, speeding, convoys, emotional state and good driving habits. Also, this report will enhance more deeper search in My Report I.

Tailgating

As I have discussed, , tailgating is the practice of following another vehicle too closely.

Diane Beauchemin finds herself tailgating when she's in a hurry and when someone in front of her goes under the impose speed limit sign in the fast lane. She abhors tardiness, so to avoid tailgating she gives herself a time to get to work. She stated that tailgating can be hazardous and can be expensive specially when you hit another vehicle.

Observation towards tailgating

I agree with Beauchemin that tailgating can be dangerous. Actually, I hardly tailgate anyone. Also, sometime you might notice as you are passing that a fast-moving car will overtake you from the rear and at the maximum speed limit will tailgate. But, there are time, without realizing some other drivers as I have noticed, follow other vehicles between intersection and interchanges.

How to handle tailgaters

If we follow other vehicles, we should ask question's like Have I given myself enough distance? or How should I handle a slow moving vehicle? Well, you can dispose of a tailgater by accelerating, decelerating or changing lanes. Let him/her pass!

Miss Isa's states that tailgating is some kind of an aggressive action and should be controlled. She believes that it is necessary that tailgater should be given tickets or fine to penalize them.

I certainly agree with Miss Isa that tailgater should be discipline because they put other people at risk and also even themselves. Also, it might cause some kind of accident when there's a limited space between the tailgater and the other driver.

Speeding

Speeding is traveling at a rate above the absolute speed limit.

According to Joleen Lai, speeding can jeopardize other people and violates traffic regulations. She observed that people do speed in the freeways, in crowded and congested areas. Also, other people do cut in just to get to their destination.

Dangers in Speeding


I agree that the person speed at which a person chooses to drive affects his/her ability to cope with hazards and threatening situations. I have noticed that traveling too fast or too slowly can make maneuvers such as turning , changing lanes and passing difficult and dangerous. We should avoid speeding because you might end up into an accident as what happened to the 16 years old driver who damaged her car after it hit a telephone pole. See the article onCar Crash Traps Teen Drive
.

Tips on speeding

The driver should know the proper speeds to select. Their speed should be chosen according to the maneuver they are performing based on roadway, vehicle conditions and their driving ability.

Convoys

Based on Danell Saito, convoy is a group of cars traveling together. She also discussed that this is due to driving slow, slow moving vehicles, extensive vehicle, the type of roadway, and the time of day. I stated on my Report 1 that motorcyclists are the ones who engaged in convoys.

With Joleen Lai, she likes to drive in convoys when she encounters unfamiliar places specially at night. She rather stays in the middle because driving in front or last takes so much accountability for her.

Well, for me I do not like in convoys because it is like invading my personal space like Nancee Aki
said.

Emotional State

Emotions are usually personal reactions to a particular way about a situation, or event. For instance, being upset or fighting to someone. We should know that this can be dangerous if a person is driving a car. For example, the desire to speed or take unnecessary risks maybe a reaction to being upset. We should know that when we are upset our emotions could lead to unsafe driving. So, we should cool down ourselves, take a walk, and watch your surroundings so you can regain your composure to drive safely. Take a look at the article, 21 Emotion Exercise, to understand more about emotions.

Good Driving Habits

Having good driving habits considered to be a good driver. It means that he should develop and practice the essential skills, displays good judgment in meeting various situations he will face as a driver. A good example is Nancee Aki, she said that she's aware of her surroundings. She watched all around when she changes lanes. I think being aware to see visible cars when you change lane is very important because this would suggest that you can proceed in a safely manner and also showing an alertness to pedestrians, traffic, intersections, and the space she has available for passing.

ForJoleen Lai, she said that good drivers follow the traffic rules and regulations, being aware of the surroundings, have enough responsibility or care or others when other passengers are present.

I would say that having good driving habits would lead you to be as traffic psychologists. In other words, you can be able to control your driving behavior in a safe and acceptable manner.

Conclusions

Being a driver depends on his emotional make-up, particularly his ability to control himself, and on his driving attitudes-how he regards other road users. In any case, there is one basic principle to guide us toward better driving. Let's get to understand ourselves, so that we may get to understand others as well. I think having certain knowledge and cooperation will be a good factor in driving.

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