Health Notes
Aggressive Driving
Emotions
Controlling emotions
understanding one's emotional makeup
identify situations that cause emotional stress
Expect other drivers to make mistakes
Understand that emotions are contagious
direct emotions toward actions, not individuals
Delay driving when upset
If upset, ask someone else to drive
Physical Effects of Emotions
breathing quickens
digestion slows
palms sweat
feeling of exhuastion
physical stress
General Effects of Emotions
Interfere with your ability to think
create mental distractions
create inattentiveness
can cause you ta act out your emotions
increase risk taking
create a lack of concentration
interrupts ability to process information
Emotions that effect driving
Heartbeat increases
When a driver operates a vehicle in a pushy or bold manner without regard for others' safety
Types of aggressions
verbal - yelling, cursing, gesturing, honking, insulting
quiet aggression - complaining, competing, resisting by not letting others in
Road rage
When a driver uses the vehicle or some other weapon to threaten or cause harm to another roadway user in response to a traffic incident with the intent to harm others. Road Rage is an escalation of emotions generally ignited by aggressive driving behaviors.
exceeding the speed limit
following too closely
failing to obey traffic controls
making improper turns or maneuvers
failing to yield the right of way
making improper or erratic lane changes
Throwing objects at a vehicle
yelling at a specific roadway user
attempting to ram another vehicle
Strategies to Reduce stress behind the wheel
Leave plenty of time
drive the posted speed limit
minimize distractions
don't drive when angry, upset, or overly tired
don't drive during rush hour
know where you are going - hands free GPS
Be polite
Don't trigger aggression in others
Keep a safe following distance
Don't cut others off
Leave plenty of room when merging, and give others the space they need to merge
Keep right except to pass
Move right to let others pass
always use turn signals
avoid gestured that might anger other drivers
use your horn only when necessary
Do not park across multiple spots, or too close to another vehicle
If you use your high-beams, return to low beams if you see another vehicle approaching
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of traffic collisions. The NHTSA estimates that 100,000 police reported crashes a year are the result of drowsy driving.
Maggie's Law makes it illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle while impaired by lack of sleep. This law establishes driving while fatigued as recklessness under the vehicular homicide statute (N.J.S.A 2C:11-5)
According to the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep in America poll, more than 1/3 of all people admit to having fallen asleep behind the wheel.
Who's at risk?
Drivers who are sleep deprived
, driving long distance (highway hypnosis)
driving through the night
Warning signs
Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or heavy eyelids
Yawning repeatedly or rubbing eyes
Daydreaming
trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits/traffic signs
Trouble keeping head up
Drifting from your lane
Feeling restless and irritable
If you notice any of these signs, stop driving and go to sleep for the night or take a 15-20 minute nap (lock doors).
taking medicine that increases sleepiness
driving alone,
driving on long, rural, boring roads
How to maintain alertness while driving
Protect yourself from sun glare or eye strain with sunglasses
Avoid heavy foods
Be aware of down time during the day
Have another person drive with you, take turns
Take breaks every 100 miles or 2 hours on long trips
Stop driving and get some rest or nap
Consume caffeine but do not rely on caffeine to prevent fatigue. Caffeine will wear off and it takes 20 minutes to work
frequent travelers
drivers with diagnosed or untreated sleep disorders
young drivers
shift workers
commercial drivers