|
Thu, 22 Mar 2001
Leon:
Is it possible to get a photo and bio of both you and Diane for the April 10th discussion?
Many thanks-
Ms. Baro
Fri, 23 Mar 2001
Hi Ms. Baro,
Bios and photos are posted at this address:
http://DrDriving.org/about/
You can pick one from several available. If you prefer an attachment I can pick
one and send it to you.
Aloha,
Leon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
03/22/2001
Aloha!
Thanks so much for agreeing to wake up at the crack of dawn to participate in Mr.
Carthy’s discussion on washingtonpost.com. We're looking forward to having you as
guests. To participate, you'll simply need a computer with access to the web and a
separate phone line.
Here's the way it works: you'll both be seated at the same computer and monitor
and you'll take turns answering questions. (We'll provide instructions on how to
access the discussion via the web). You'll receive questions from both Mr. Carthy
and washingtonpost.com readers. You'll choose which questions you wish to answer. If
you don't answer a question, washingtonpost.com viewers will never know that the question
existed.
I can provide more detailed information as the date approaches.
In the meantime though, could we get a photo and bio of you both? A single photo with
both of you in it would be best, if possible.
Regarding a book review, unfortunately Mr. Carthy doesn't review books. He asked
for a copy of the book to read in preparation for having you participate in an online
discussion.
Thanks again-
Ms. Baro
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 7 Mar 2001
Leon:
Thanks so much for sending along a copy of your book, "Road Rage."
Washington Post columnist, Mr. Carthy, would like to have you and Dr. Nahl participate
in an online discussion on washingtonpost.com to discuss road rage.
Many thanks-
Ms. Baro
-----------------------------------------------------------
Regarding Pearsall, go to this search engine
www.google.com
and type in his name. It's amazing how much there is on him. He also endorsed our new
book:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
Press Release
"James (University of Hawaii) and Nahl (information and computer sciences,
University of Hawaii) locate the roots of aggressive driving in childhood exposure to
parental attitudes about driving and media portrayals of driving. They also present the
conclusions of recent studies, look at citizen activism, and summarize legislative and
police initiatives. Also included are self-evaluations to measure one's own road rage, and
activities to help drivers improve their self-control." Book News, Inc., Portland,
OR Two nationally known authors from Hawaii have published a new book on a topic
often discussed in the media. What other authors say about this book:
"Like the weather, everyone is talking about road rage, but Drs. James and Nahl
have finally done something about it. They show that what we call "traffic" is
really an ever-changing set of social relationship tests, and how we engage in these
auto-connections speaks volumes about the ultimate quality of our own and others lives.
They show us how being a better driver helps us lead a better, happier, healthier
life." Paul Pearsall, author of The Pleasure Prescription and Wishing Well "Next
time you're about to crowd someone's bumper because they cut you off in traffic, take a
deep breath, back off, and drive to the nearest book store to buy this book. You'll not
only learn why we've become such impatient, hostile drivers, you'll learn exactly how to
reverse this life-endangering habit. Bravo to the authors for a well-written, much needed
book. Read it and reap!" Sam Horn, author of Tongue Fu and ConZENtrate "It's
about personal behavior! ------ For those of us that have beenpersonally involved with
"Road Rage"; for those of us who have witnessed "Road Rage"; for those
of us that understand "Road Rage" truly exists and is a serious issue for the
motoring public, this is a page turner. Leon and Diane have defined the issue, shown what
it has cost us and most importantly ----Given Specifics for us to prevent from
participating in a "Road Rage" incident or being the victim of "Road
Rage". This is a must read for young drivers, experienced drivers and professional
drivers alike-----Remember that it's about personal behavior! Who better to discuss
this issue than Social Psychologist, Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl."
Stan McWilliams, Manager Safety Information Systems, M.S. Carriers Inc.
"It is certain to become an American classic!"
Jo Goecke, iSyndicate.com
Everything you always wanted to know about road rage and aggressive driving. Leon James
and Diane Nahl bring the scholarship desperately needed.
John A. Larson, M.D., F.A.P.A.
Excerpts and review comments: http://DrDriving.org
email: DrDriving@DrDriving.org
Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl are both professors at the University of
Hawaii.
=========================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 22 Mar 2001
Hello,
I am writing to see if you have any clever ideas on presenting distractive driving,
aggressive driving and impaired driving information to adult groups? I have a few videos
but they are not the best and are rather out of date. Any information would be gladly
appreciated.
thank you Ms. M
Fri, 23 Mar 2001
I would recommend our RoadRageous video--see this file:
http://DrDriving.org/video
and our new book:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 22 Mar 2001
Dear Dr. Driving,
I am a senior in high school and am doing a 40 page report for my Participation in
Government class on Road Rage. I was wondering if you might have any
pamphlets/brochures or other information about road rage that I could use as resources for
this report. If you do and would like me to send you a self-addressed postage-paid
envelope for the transport of these materials, please e-mail me back as soon as
possible. Also, any information you could give me over the 'net would be helpful as
well. Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely, Kate Marin
Sat, 24 Mar 2001
I don't have a brochure but al the information I have is placed on our site--which is
plentiful. Please look around and print anything you want for your presentation. I
especially recommend these files you can begin with:
http://DrDriving.org/legislation/teecards.html
http://DrDriving.org/articles/book_toc.htm
Aloha,
Leon James
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 23 Mar 2001
Dear Ms:
I have a project called "The centered Driver", for safety driving training,
using aikido mind& body unification principles. It's easy, effective and gives
specific skills at enhancing mind attitude, both relaxed and alert, to avoid distraction
and improve anticipation time response. I'll like to share it. Please if interested,
contact me at
Best regards
Ally, M.D.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 23 Mar 2001
Hello Dr. D.
My name is Tim and I am a firefighter/EMT in Tucson. I have been
given an assignment to write an essay on accidents involving ambulances. I have been
searching long and hard on the internet with no luck. I was wondering if you could
direct me to a site or two or give me any stories that you may have. Any help at all
would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Tim
Sat, 24 Mar 2001
Hi Tim,
All the information on emergency vehicles is kept in this file--see if you can use the
links there to find what you're looking for.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat, 24 Mar 2001
Hi Doc.
I remember that there once was a study that showed that a driver's first reflex when
faced with being in an accident was to hit the horn rather than the brakes. Do you
have any information on this? If you do please let me know. I appreciate your help.
Sat, 24 Mar 2001
Sorry I don't have information on this, but will let you know if I come across it. Let
me know if you do find anything.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 22 Mar 2001
I think there should be seat belts on school buses because we need to have safety on
them. I bet your wondering why a fifth grade student is asking or I guess saying
something, because my class is doing a project on it. So think about it and try to
convince the government that we should have seat belts on school buses if you think it is
a good idea.
thanks!!!
Sat, 24 Mar 2001
Thanks for your note, Mary. I will try my best. It's good that you're involved in this
topic!
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun, 25 Mar 2001
Dear Dr. Leon James
Here in Brazil we are a company dealing with safety and health. One of our training
course is the Defensive Driver Course - DDC. We are looking for new resources for our
training, like driving simulator. Do you know any software that could help us?
Thanks, regards
Jerry F.
Technical Director
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Regarding driving simulators: I’m not personally familiar with what's available,
but when I went to my favorite search engine
and typed in "driving simulators" I got thousands of sites, so you might
want to try that approach. Good luck.
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Last week I was going to work circa 5:00 am when an individual in a Red Miata began to
tailgate me, I could not get over to the next lane so the Miata sling shot into the next
lane and then cut me off as he slipped in front of my vehicle. I flicked my high
beams to an effort to say hey be careful, in a split second the Miata made a dead stop in
a four lane highway, the drive got out of his car and began walking towards my vehicle, so
I quickly went around him and proceeded on my way to work when I noticed the Miata
speeding towards me and at the next red light the Miata again stopped and the individual
again got out of his vehicle and this time while screaming that he was going to kill me he
grabbed the passenger side handle and when he discovered it was locked he kicked the
driver side of my car.
At this point I dialed 911 and told the operator what was happening and I began to follow
the Miata, at this point I was thinking that this individual was crazy and deserved a
citation and/or to be locked up. After an eight minute ordeal the Police arrived and
pulled over the Miata and purportedly gave the man a ticket for disorderly conduct and
careless driving and do you believe the office gave me a ticket for careless
driving! Why! What did I do? Was I wrong for calling the Police? I
thought I acted in a calm and prudent manner now I have to go to court and fight this
bizarre and in my opinion unwarranted punishment. Please If you have any data that I can
present during my trial I would be grateful!
Cordially, I am,
John D.
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Thanks for your story. My recommendation is that you carefully analyze how you could
have avoided this problem. You made several mistakes by acting in retaliation, like
flashing your high beams to let the driver know your opinion--this is an aggressive thing
to do, known by all, and if you do it, you're being aggressive (even if you believe you
were in your right to do that). Also, your following the car was not prudent since this is
an openly aggressive act. Please read our new book (see below) that will explain all this
to you and protect you in the future. As for the court preparation: talk to a lawyer who
is experienced in these matters. It's your only prudent thing to do now.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun, 25 Mar 2001
hello,
I am an EVOC instructor in FL and am currently looking for DOT regulations pertaining
to emergency vehicle operations and have been unsuccessful at obtaining anything printed.
if you could please advise me where I could get this info and also an extended driver
course approved by DOT for continued education in EVOC. I thank you in advance for any
info you can provide.
Tim
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Mr. B,
All the information I have on emergency vehicle related subjects I put online on the
site at
http://DrDriving.org/professionals/emergency.htm
Perhaps you can try some of the links in that file to see if you can find that
information. Good luck.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun, 25 Mar 2001
I am trying to do a school report for drivers education on road rage. I need the
reasons for road rage, things that can occur when you are driving with an attitude, and
ways to decrease road rage
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
The information you want on road rage can be found in these two files:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm
http://DrDriving.org/facts/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Mr. James:
Thank you for your quick response.
I am performing my PhD in University of Sao Paulo, Public health college, with the
subject "Higway safety education".
Kind regards
Jerry
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
dear friend
how are you doing I am doing fine can you help me with some thing? I am looking
to take the driving test on the computer I wonder if you have the web set on it I would
like to do it at home on my computer but I need to know the web set would you tell me
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Try the RoadRageous Video Course I authored and recommend. You can take it on the Web
at this address:
http://www.aipsnews.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Hi Dr. James ...
The honor was mine! I am quite impressed with the work that you have done in this
area. I'll be certain to get a copy of your book.
Keep up the wonderful work,
Mary S.
Monday, March 26, 2001
To: Mary S.
I enjoyed your road rage article in The Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution
in which you refer to my work, among other people.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 28 Mar 2001
Dear Dr. Driving,
My name is Steve, "The Driving Therapist". You offer a wonderful
service that fits very much with my website, Overcome Driving Phobias, Stress & Rage,
since 1996. I've helped people with all driving problems since 1964.I have taken the
initiative to link your helpful website with mine. I look forward to your feedback of my
site and hope that you can add my site to your links.
Sincerely, Steve
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 29 Mar 2001
Dear Dr. James,
I am an 11th grade student at Hewlett High School, in
Hewlett, New York. I have recently decided to do my Intel Contest (formerly the
Westinghouse contest) project on Road Rage. I have copies of the three studies
prepared for the AAA Foundation, as well as your book, Road Rage and Aggressive Driving.
I would be very appreciative if you would offer me some advice. I am trying to come
up with an aspect of the subject of Road Rage that needs further investigation, an aspect,
preferably, that has not yet been covered in great depth. Also, if there are any
other people or studies that you could direct me to, I would appreciate that as well.
Thank you very much for your time,
John K.
Thu, 29 Mar 2001
John K.,
One aspect of road rage not dealt with by others is the idea in our book that the
backseat is a road rage nursery. In that section called
Children Against Road Rage (CARR)
we also present some research we did on media portrayals of
Drivers Behaving Badly and a
rating system. This topic is further explored in greater detail online on our site at
http://DrDriving.org/youth
I hope this helps. Good luck with the contest!
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 27 Mar 2001
Dr. Driving,
Hello, my name is Timothy and I am a student
at Enumclaw High School in Enumclaw Washington. I am in 10th grade and I'm doing my
sophomore project on how the new graduated licensing law passed here is a good idea.
We are required to have two interview sources and I think you would be a very good person
to interview on this subject. I would really appreciate it if you would take the time to
answer these questions because I'm sure you get a lot of e-mail.
1. Tell me a little bit about
yourself, and how did you get the name Dr. Driving
2. Do you think 16 is too young to get
an unrestricted drivers license?
3. What do you think of graduated
licensing?
4. What do you think the driving law
should be?
5. What do you think causes poor teen
driving?
6. In your opinion, what would be the
best solution to increase teen driver safety?
I hope you can help, and thank you for your time.
Timothy
Thu, 29 Mar 2001
Timothy,
I cannot take time to answer your questions now, but you should look at the answers I
give and others give that I have gathered in these files:
http://DrDriving.org/youth
http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 28 Mar 2001
Dear Dr. James,
I am currently working on the newsletter for the month of march and was curious if you
would be able to cut and paste an article you wrote regarding road rage so that it could
be included on the newsletter. I am not an expert in this field and do not want to write
false information. I feel it would be much more informative coming from someone like
yourself. I will also include a link to your site on the newsletter if this is something
you would be willing to do.
Thank you for your time,
Mark
Wednesday, March 28, 2001
Mark,
Yes, I would be happy to contribute a few paragraphs from our book that you can quote
in your newsletter. Please let me know how many words you're looking for and I'll email
you the selections. Moreover, let me know if there is a particular topic you prefer or
want to leave that unspecified and I'll choose accordingly.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 28 Mar 2001
Dr. James,
Thank you very much. I am interested in articles concerning statistics and prevention
and am looking for 500 to 1000 words. once again thank you,
Mark
Thu, 29 Mar 2001
Hi Mark,
here are some paragraphs from this article:
http://DrDriving.org/surveys/survey2/interpretations.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aggressive Driving Analyzed:
The Effect of Age, Gender, and Type of Car Driven
2000 by Dr. Leon James (DrDriving)
Summary of Findings:
I take these results to be evidence that aggressive driving is a cultural norm that we
acquire from parents and the media. These anti-social practices behind the wheel
have become a tradition. Children imbibe them, boys and girls each in their own
ways, suitable to their gender and age. Our driver education begins as infants while
riding in cars driven by adults who yell, curse, swear, make insulting gestures, break
driving regulations like going through red light or doing some serious speeding. Everyone
of these aggressive and hostile behaviors is documented in this national survey of 1095
drivers.
The culturally transmitted norms of aggressive driving are not unitary and rigid, but
vary demographically through the population. Drivers behave badly in a variety of
ways, and these varieties are influenced by geographic state and type of car.
Numerous statistically significant results are presented in dozens of graphs and tables
throughout this document so that everyone can examine the pattern of relationships between
specific types of aggressive behaviors in relation to age of drivers, their gender, the
type of car they drive, and the state they drive in. As a society, therefore, we must
recognize that cultural transmission and tradition are responsible factors in aggressive
driving, and contribute to it. Therefore cultural techniques of re-education are
needed to reverse the generational trend.
We can collect all sorts of advice and
hints for how to stop the increase in aggressive driving (see my large collection here,
culled from the Web). If this trend is not reversed, we can expect aggressive
driving to increase, despite the more extensive law enforcement and electronic
'surveillance' initiatives that are being instituted throughout the country. The
full solution or elimination of this problem lies in consciously and deliberately
reversing the cultural tradition that allows us to express hostility behind the wheel (see
here for a list of the top 100 complaints drivers have about one another). It's
obvious that feelings run very intense and to solve this problem is easier said than
done.
In my role as DrDriving, I have been providing various types of
self-management tools and socially dynamic methods of motivating drivers to accept
the idea of
Lifelong Driver Education as a matter of social responsibility, as outlined
above in this document. The overall goal of driver education must be explicitly stated in
positive terms, rather than merely negative. The goal must be to evolve a cultural
norm for driving that can be called Supportive Driving, in opposition to Aggressive
Driving. Oddly enough, research by psychologists has remained limited to a few
problems--see my large bibliography of driving research here. We need to understand the
difference between these two opposing driving styles and philosophies. Car society
is now beginning its second century.
For the first century society was able to license
drivers through minimal training and examination, and this approach worked for a while,
but things started braking down in the 1950s when more and more drivers began to drive the
fast moving vehicles placed in their hands. The death rate climbed to above 50,000
for many years. It was brought down to its current 40,000 fatalities a year through
better car design, better road engineering, more safety laws, better paramedical
services. Still, 40,000 fatalities year after year turns the highways into war zones
(about 50,000 American fatalities were incurred in the entire six-year Vietnam war). Add
to this amazing carnage, 5 million crashes with enormous suffering and disruption to lives
for millions, and an economic cost of 200 billion per year, and you begin to realize that
we are having an enormously serious problem to fix.
The goal: to turn the 177
million drivers in this nation (the number is climbing...) into
Supportive Drivers.
Since this philosophy is contrary to tradition, habit, and convenience we are faced with
people's massive opposition to their self-transformation. Drivers have their own
theory as to why drivers makes them mad. These popular but non-adaptive attitudes
and rationalizations must be abandoned in favor of emotionally more intelligent
alternatives.
I have been studying this resistance to driver self-improvement for two decades,
first
in myself, then with other drivers as well. A necessary departing strategy had to be
the identification of aggressive behaviors by drivers. This led to a taxonomy or
inventory of hundreds of driving behaviors in three areas of the driver's habits:
affective (the driver's attitudes, motives, and moral feelings), cognitive (the driver's
emotional intelligence and judgment), and sensorimotor (the driver's vehicle manipulation
(including gestures and verbalizations). I also used this taxonomy of driver
behaviors to catalogue the complaints drivers have about one another. You can get
the details by examining the various links I provided for each topic in my table above
outlining the details of lifelong driver education. I have also used this approach
in a video course for driver re-education based on these same objectives.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
More information can be read in
our book:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon, 26 Mar 2001
Hi,
This mailbox is supposed to be for collecting those feel-good moments when a driver is
considerate, courteous, perhaps even helpful to others above and beyond simple cooperation
on the road. Conversely, I've found other mailboxes where a properly indignant victim can
report, or at least enumerate, the various maneuvers of an aggressive driver with attitude
problems.
But what if an ordinary driver encounters a genuine, angry, irresponsible jerk and the
worst offender is HIMSELF? It happened to me today, and it's not the first time. I like to
think that I'm a skilled and cautious driver. I've spent nearly thirty years as a computer
technician, driving to thousands of metropolitan locations in five major cities on both
coasts. I've had high-speed blowouts, hoods fly up in my face, engine fires, cars rolling
down embankments to land in front of me, near-collisions with weaving drunks and the
occasional elk. I've corralled suspects eluding police, assisted in major traffic
accidents and just last week I changed a tire for some poor housewife after it flatted and
she had no clue how to deal with the calamity.
I don't blow lights and stop signs, I don't
cut off other drivers, or merge late, or fail to signal, or force my way anywhere. I'm
used to casual drivers and feel mainly amusement when they write their own version of the
Traffic Handbook. But sometimes, when a driver purposefully, deliberately compromises
another driver or myself, none of that matters at all. We're not talking about handguns
and tire irons, waving fists and felonies, the stuff that's usually referred to by the
Media. I'm talking about the morons we see every day: three feet of forward clearance at
70 miles per hour, zooming up the empty lane (which was empty for a reason) to slam back
into heavy traffic; incessant honking at other drivers to hurry up, to get out of the way;
and my personal favorite, the passing-lane cruiser. Under the right (wrong) circumstances
these antics have taken me from zero to berserk in half a second and when it happens, all
my experience, attitude and Zen-detachment disintegrate faster than I can pull it back.
Today, it took about a minute to get myself under control after some middle-aged
Neanderthal laid on his horn behind me, all the way through a left turn, then accelerated
to twice the speed limit to cut me off in a lane-change, horn blaring all the way. After
trying to run him off the road without wrecking my own car (a really stupid idea, all by
itself), I looked ahead long enough to discover that traffic was stopped in front of me
and I had about sixty feet to stop, from freeway speed. I made it, my tires smoking, and
probably scared the driver in front of me half to death. All for nothing. If I saw some
pimple-faced teenager do such a thing and had the authority to do so, I would have revoked
his license then and there. A reckless driving charge for sure. Was that me? It was.
Thing is, I don't normally feel vengeful or angry on the road; it's just not there, and
I try to be conscious of how my driving appears to others. But on these rare occasions
someone, in effect, unexpectedly slaps me across the face, a deliberate gesture of
indifference and contempt. And in a heartbeat, I react. The road-rage maniac, the
statistic that's become such a topic for discussion, this new driving danger (as if there
weren't enough already)^Å that's me. Perhaps most of the idiots out there who pull these
maneuvers rationalize their behavior, or blame it on the other guy, but I can't. He wasn't
driving my car. Who admits to this, who else has honestly dealt with this little personal
crisis?
I'm seeking a solution, or at least a realistic approach. I live in Los Angeles
which, again according to the Media, is road-rager central; and yet what few programs were
here seem to have dried up. I've yet to see anything on the Internet that really addresses
these more commonplace situations and a 'don't worry, be happy' approach does not apply
here. I can't believe I'm alone in this. If it were strictly between me and the idiot who
started the confrontation it would be bad enough; but it's always the innocent people who
get hurt. I've been very lucky, and these incidents have been few and far between, but of
course there only has to be one more. I haven't driven half a million miles in my
lifetime, with a clean record for the last fifteen years, just to be part of the problem.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a Sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, assigned to Traffic
Administration. I am looking to attend symposiums/conferences on topics related to
Aggressive Driving strategies. I not only want to learn more about the
subject, but interact and network with others in this field that are involved in active
programs or setting up new programs. I am not really looking for
any specific training classes, but rather conferences or symposiums that give a
broad-based overview and a variety of presenters with a variety of perspectives and
strategies. Maybe something on a National or Regional level. Any ideas?
Sgt. Bill
Thu, 29 Mar 2001
Try this one:
http://www.driving-symposium.org/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 27 Mar 2001
My name is Jenny and I am currently a student at the University of Missouri- St. Louis
doing a project. After finding your study on the World Wide Web, I thought you might have
more sources on Road Rage. Specifically, the project compares the perceived threat of Road
Rage with the perceived threat of Drunk Driving. Any information you could give me
would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Jenny
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 27 Mar 2001
My name is Mark. I attend Rhode Island College. I am researching the topic of
Road Rage. Just by the reading I have done, I realize you are an expert on road
rage. In my research I must include an interview with an expert. I would
appreciate you answering a few questions.
1. How did you become involved with road
rage?
2. Did you coin the term road rage?
3. Were you a road rage sufferer yourself?
4. How do you cope with road rage?
5. What advice would you give a new driver on road rage?
I thank you in advance for your response.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 28 Mar 2001
I was browsing through my computer looking for answers on why my father died suddenly
about 4 weeks ago, I don't know if I have the right web site but if you would allow me to
share my story with you I would much appreciate it. My dad was a truck driver, he had no
prior health conditions and so far as anyone knew he was in perfect health, he had
drove4000 miles and was about one hour away from home, his partner that drove with him
said he never complained of not feeling well, he talked about how pretty the flowers all
looked blooming, he had ate good that day, and he was in a hurry to get home because they
where gone for 3 weeks and he wanted to get home for the week-end because he had bought a
riding lawn mower and he was wanting to pick it up, when they got back to their job-site
where they parked their trucks, they had a lot of trouble unhitching the trailer from
their truck, they finally got the problem fixed, he got back up in the cab of his truck to
get his bag of clothes took his teeth out of his mouth, curled up his fingers and
apparently died, he went to get help but nobody knew CPR, and he was dead on arrival at
the hospital could this have been work related, he had only been home for 8 hours in 3
weeks time, and I've heard truck drivers have sudden death occur like this, there was a
autopsy done, but we’ve yet to get the results back, so far all they tell us is he
had complete blockage to the right side of his heart, but they won't give us a death
certificate because they have not determined this the cause of death, could something have
happened when he was having trouble unhitching his trailer, I'm just looking for answers
if you have any suggestions will you please help me to understand.
Thank-you kindly
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 27 Mar 2001
Dear DrDriving,
I would like information on the following video modules:
#4 - Cool Operator, Managing Stress
#6 - Those Inconsiderate Jerks!
#7 - Me, Me, Me
#9 - Clear Heads Prevail
We are a non-for-profit agency that’s presents traffic safety to adults within the
workplace.
thanks,
Margret
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 28 Mar 2001
Dear Dr. Driving,
As you may be aware California and especially us folks in the Bay Area, are currently
experiencing a power crisis created by the deregulation of the utilities in 1996. I'm
interested in writing an article concerning the possible psychological effects this crisis
is having on my own and similar communities. I have noticed in others, myself included, a
hostile attitude towards neighbors that blatantly refuse to conserve their fare share of
power. I'm sure similar concerns were felt during the California droughts of 1976-77 and
1987-92. Residential conservation measures were and are being touted
continuously. While many do their best to conserve, as they are now with the energy
crisis, there were still others that blatantly ignored the request and are simply willing
to selfishly pay higher prices for added comfort.
People in the Bay Area are already
concerned about the economic impact due to the stock fall of many of the high tech
companies concentrated in the California Silicon Valley. They are concerned
and frightened about their soaring power bills. They are aware of possible losses
should a downturn occur in the once booming housing market occur. Due to this power
deficit, Californians are faced with threats ranging from keeping their families safe and
warm to the possibility of a mass exodus of business to more economically sound states.
Given this, how do you feel these pressures will manifest themselves in our communities?
Do you feel we should expect more hostility on the roads at work or during leisure
activities i.e. ball games, shopping etc..? Thank you very much for your time and I really
enjoyed your insightful articles on Road Rage.
Sincerely,
Janice K.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 30 Mar 2001
I am doing an exam on discourse analysis in psychology, can you help me on finding
relevant information on the subject. question asked is If discourse analysis cannot tell
us the "truth" about the world, then a) what can it tell us? and how b) how
might we establish the value of its findings?
Fri, 30 Mar 2001
Hi Uman,
In order to answer these questions, you first need to define discourse analysis. How do
you define it and what does it include?
Aloha,
Dr. James
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 30 Mar 2001
I am a New Jersey State Trooper currently researching the feasibility of bringing the
civilian radio operators back to the State Police Road Stations. In recent years the
State Police has centralized the operators for a number of reasons. This created an
operator unfamiliar with the individual station areas. I am looking for several good
arguments to bring the operator back to the stations. If you know of a similar
situation and research that can back me up I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Yours truly, David S.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun, 1 Apr 2001
Hi,
My name is Barbara and I am working on a school project and I
wanted to know if you had any records based on "The Number of Wrecks in Texas Caused
by Drunk Driving." I have to do a project of it for science to show to all the
teacher and parents. Everyone in my grade has to do one and I can't find the
records. I have to chart it and tell how I found my information and I have to prove
my theory. I said that I thought the number of wrecks caused by drunk driving
increased when the holidays take place because people like to drink more, now all I have
to do is prove this. So, if you can please help me. Thanks!
~Barbara~
Sun, 1 Apr 2001
Go to this search engine and type in "drunk
driving Texas" You'll get lots of sites.
Mon, 2 Apr 2001
Leon and Diane --
Thanks very much for attending the official recognition of our youth and education
program by the Honolulu City Council. Having been part of the committee from the
start, it would not have been the same without you being there. The following day we made
our initial presentation to approximately 270 fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Pohakea
Elementary School in Ewa Beach and I am pleased to report that it was a huge success...
Vince is terrific working with the kids. We have been invited to display the race car at
this weekend's Honolulu International Auto Show at the Hawaii Department of Education
Exhibit and Vince has been requested to deliver our Kulia 'I Ka Nu'u presentation
throughout the day on Sunday, April 8 -- Kid's Day at the Auto Show. Great
visibility!!!!!! Roberto has told me that he is interested in including your book in the
inventory of publications sold at the AAA Hawaii office. Hope to see you soon.
Aloha,
Richard
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 4 Apr 2001
Dear Sir/Madam:
I work in Brazilian bus company, transportation company and I am very interested on bus
driving simulators. Can you help me find it?
Thanks.
Jerome
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 5 Apr 2001
I am sorry there were not more women involved in your survey. I think it would have
been more interesting. I would like to say I am not an aggressive driver, never have been
although my teenage daughter shows aggressive behavior behind the wheel. Her father was
aggressive but she doesn't see him often and surely it is not hereditary although
sometimes she reminds me of her dad when she is behind the wheel. I am not a senior but I
am a woman in my 40s and work full time and drive a 2 door SUV. Driving back and forth to
work, takes 45 minutes to go 20 miles, is frustrating but no one is going to get there
that much faster by driving like a maniac. I did have a instance of "road rage"
that I thought you might find interesting. I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago and do not
take hormones. Well meaning friends and a new doctor begged me to try a sample (so as not
to get osteoporosis, etc.) and the next thing I knew I was driving down the road like
"everybody get out of my way", very territorial (this is MY lane), and then it
dawned on me that this wasn't me so needless to say I did not take any more hormones. I
prefer to take my time, arrive safely, and not cause any undue stress to anyone. I will
move over to get out of someone's way. I always try to let cars change lanes in front of
me as common courtesy. Maybe it is all the hormones raging that contribute to the road
rage! Teenagers (you know how hard raging hormones are on them, boys and girls), men
trying to recapture their youth with their sporty cars, etc. all seem to be cropping up on
the road rage list. I found your survey very enlightening and thought you might find my
story amusing!:-)
Racine
Thu, 5 Apr 2001
Thank you Racine, I did enjoy your story on hormones and road rage. For sure there is a
connection there. By the way, the survey does include women (about one third of the
group).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 5 Apr 2001
I knew it included women - I was sad that not very many women participated. I am always
doing Harris polls online and various surveys because I think my opinion counts. Thanks
for the recommended reading, I appreciate it. It has been kind of hairy scary here in
Austin, Texas. I moved here from a small town in Louisiana and the people here drive a lot
faster and with disregard for one another. I didn't move fast enough at a red light and an
older gentlemen made a point of pulling up beside my car just spewing curse words. I just
smiled as my daughter was in the car. I just thought you might get a kick out of the
effect the sample hormones had. Everyone I have told that story gets the biggest kick!
Keep up the good work and thank you again!:-) P.S. Maybe we need better bumper stickers
like the quote below that says if you want to feel good be good! I had the most wonderful
bumper sticker I bought in Florida that says Honor All Beings. Nowadays the bumper
stickers reflect the drivers, not funny or amusing at all!
Racine
Thu, 5 Apr 2001
Yes, I agree about the bumper stickers. Incidentally, I helped create an aggressive
driving program and survey in San Antonio last year. Details and results summarized here:
http://DrDriving.org/police/teecards.html
Aloha.
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 3 Apr 2001
send me info on the tee cards.
I am a drivers ed teacher.
Thanks,
Mark
Thu, 5 Apr 2001
Sorry but we are not manufacturing TEE cards as yet. In the meantime if you want to use
the ones on the Web you can email me for permission letting me know which ones and for
what use specifically. Don't forget also our Road Rageous
video. See also:
http://DrDriving.org/legislation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 30 Mar 2001
Dear Website Owner,
My name is Thomas and I’m with United Loss & Liability Prevention. We are
writing to ask if you would be interested in exchanging website links. We think our
website will help some of your visitors with their teenage driver issues. Please
take a look at our website at www.ullpsite.com
Sincerely,
Terry
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 3 Apr 2001
Dear Sir . . . in a career spanning 28 years now, I think I've been there . . . over 70
countries and as many airlines. I was there at IGI Airport in Delhi on the 14th of January
when the BA London-Bangkok flight was diverted due to an unruly passenger. As the airline
commercial staff brought him off with gentleness, there was a big noise from the guy who
was drunk or maybe just a hooligan. Well, this was proving to be too much so one big guy
from the crowd (I think must have been a plains clothes cop) just went up to this hooligan
and stood in front of him, lifted him up and then gave him an almighty thwack. That was
it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 3 Apr 2001
I work for a Federal agency that is currently in the process of centralizing dispatch,
and we are 'contract' personnel. We receive calls from this 'megacenter' in another state,
and they have no idea where they are talking about, and I shudder to think when an
officer's life might depend on their familiarity or lack of it with the area the officer
is working in. I believe the best argument is the officer safety issue. You really do NOT
have time to figure out where in an emergency situation, and with them being civilians,
you don't really have the clout to manage what they are required to learn, (maps, areas,
landmarks, etc.) I wish officer safety and public safety could be the deciding factor, but
alas, we all know the bottom line is money.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 5 Apr 2001
I was looking for some information on road rage for my Driver Education class. By the
luck of the computer click I found your site. I have used information from the site
several times during class and I still have lots of reading on the site to do. You guys
have provided a great service to the public if they need to learn about road rage. I plan
to give out the site address to parents so they can look up you site it they would like to
do so. Keep up the good work.
Don B.
Thu, 5 Apr 2001
Thanks Don, I appreciate your kind remarks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 6 Apr 2001
How do the effects of `coronary deviancy' play a part in the road rage scenario? , and
how prevalent are the psychological effects of `coronary deviancy' expressing themselves
as road rage incidents in terms of accidents per thousand in the general population?
Does `coronary deviancy' exist as a medical and psychological condition ?
Please help, I need some answers...
Thanks in anticipation of a reply
Marty R.
Fri, 6 Apr 2001
Sorry but I do not have information on what you're asking.
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue, 3 Apr 2001
Sir, I am currently writing up a research proposal examining the driving behaviors in a
specific populations-I am looking for a validated survey for driving accidental injury
risk- Is the DBQ available for research use-and if it is how can I obtain a copy-In
addition do you know of any survey that includes questions on actual events (recent
accidents) your web page is great and I would like to buy your book for possible use in
our military population
Sincerely
Joseph C.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 4 Apr 2001
Hello, I saw your web page and it is very interesting. I was wondering if you had
any bar graphs or charts or line graphs you could send on teenage car accidents. I
am doing a speech on raising the legal age of getting the license from 16 to 18 and I
really need to have a visual, so I really want these graphs, if you have any. I
looked everywhere. I hope you could help me. E-mail me as soon as
possible. My speech is tomorrow, Thursday 5th. Please HELP ME
Fri, 6 Apr 2001
You'll find stats and graphs in these three files and the links in them
(please explore):
DrDriving.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 4 Apr 2001
Dear Dr. James,
I would like to thank you for responding, it is great to hear back. I just purchased
your book, and am in the midst of reading it. But if you could supply any additional
information. In case you were wondering, I am an OAC high school student, and recently I
have started to research the avenues of aggressive driving, and road rage in its relation
to human nature and the way we communicate. If you have any further information regarding
any of the following issues feel free to contact me. causes of road rage rooted in culture
and psychology why and how humans mentality change when behind the wheel of an automobile.
ways of preventing and curing the issue
Barry T.
Thanks for your time and consideration,
Monday, March 19, 2001
Hi Barry
Tell me more about your topic so I may see if I have suggestions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 6 Apr 2001
I was wondering if you have any further information on how Road rage relates to
language, literature, or media in the form of communication. This is primarily my focus in
the English paper that I am completing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 6 Apr 2001
I was checking the internet re:reckless driving tonight and found this web site. I
thought I would write to you to see what advice if any you have for me. My husband drives
like a maniac. He speeds, cuts in front of people, tailgates, etc. He honestly believes
that if he is driving 80 mph on the interstate and is 5-6 ft behind the driver ahead of
him-that if that driver slams on his brakes, he will have plenty of time to stop before
hitting him. There is nothing I have been able to do or say to convince him that if this
happens, in all likelihood-we would all be dead or at least crippled. He just does NOT
believe it is true. He also says he will go when it is time to go & not because of his
driving & if he does go-well, that's why they call them accidents. He is a Christian
and for some reason believes he just will not get hurt or killed unless God wants it to
happen.
The problem is: My daughter and I have to ride in the car w/ him. He scares me to
the point that I become hysterical & hyperventilate, hanging on to the door as tight
as I can. Last week we drove to Indiana and arrived at our destination in 3hrs-it is at
least a 4.5 hr drive. He drove 80-85 mph all the way-(and tailgating) He actually decided
at one point to take an exit, waited until we were 1/2 miles from the exit ramp, pulled
into the other lane, and at the last second, speeded up, changed lanes and went flying in
front of a car and a semi and up the off ramp-the speed limit was 35 mph and he had to
have been driving at least 70 when we hit that ramp. He says I am a big baby, I drive too
slow, am afraid of too many things, (he says he is afraid of nothing) and I believe it, I
think if he was afraid of a few things, he would be more empathetic towards people that
are frightened by his driving. I asked him-what about the other people in the car-don't
you care if they are killed or hurt because of your driving?
He says no one has to get in
his car-they do that voluntarily. I asked him-What about the other drivers? How will you
feel if you cause an accident and a small child is killed or crippled because of your
driving-he says” that’s why they are called accidents". I am not a slow
driver myself, I tend to drive about 5 miles over the speed limit and when on the
interstate-I probably drive as much as 10 miles over the speed limit-depends on the flow
of traffic. But I am a fairly defensive driver, while he is a very aggressive driver. He
loves to go to the races and talks about racing cars someday himself-which is fine w/ me,
but he doesn't have to jeopardize everyone’s' safety on public roads. He will
absolutely not listen to me or the rest of his family-any advice-other than "just
don't get into the car with him"
Also, my fear of his driving does not seem to make
any difference-he will not slow down or drive better because he is scaring me-he says if
he scares me that much, I should not get into the car with him. Any advice would be
appreciated. Please reply ASAP as we have to drive 12 hrs on Sunday 4-8-01. Thanks soooo
much!
Tue, 10 Apr 2001
Hi Jenny,
I get letters like yours from women who are terrorized by their husbands or boyfriends.
We deal with this issue in our new book on road rage (see below). So I recommend that you
get the book and after reading it yourself, try to get your husband involved, little by
little, using the arguments and exercises in our book. There is no quick fix I assure you
and the only thing you can do right now is to refuse to ride with him, which I know is not
always possible. One thing you can do in the meantime is for you and daughter each send
him a letter explaining how you each feel when you are in the car as passenger. Keep
writing it down and keep sending him the notes. Keep a diary of your feelings and fears,
and keep sending the pages to him. After you get
the book (order online at amazon.com for
same day shipment, or try your local bookstore), you will have further details. Please
write back after you had a chance to try a few things. By the way, take a look at this
document:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/partnership.htm
Good luck! Aloha,
Leon James, DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat, 7 Apr 2001
Let us start a membership organization by inviting drivers to make a solemn pledge
never to engage in any road activity that may be construed as road rage. These drivers
could report back on how their behavior makes them feel. If they have experienced road
rage, they could give us details. They could place a sign on the rear window which reads :
I'VE TAKEN THE ANTI-ROAD RAGE PLEDGE.
Sincerely,
Jamie
Tue, 10 Apr 2001
Thanks for the suggestion--I think it's a good one. Perhaps you can start a group going
in your neighborhood. See the information here:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/qdc.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
I am twenty years old and will spend the rest of my life dealing with back and neck
pain because a senior citizen with poor vision did not see me. He sent my car
spinning around the road three times, my bumper flew across the street, and my car was
totaled. For my safety and the safety of the elderly I feel that over the age of 65,
there should be testing done yearly to determine driving ability. The tests should
include vision screenings, reflex assessments, and mental status assessments. As a
nursing student I have enough stress in my life, and now I have to deal with this. Thank
you!
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Thanks for your note and I'm sorry to hear of your woes. I agree with you.
Good luck!
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Hi, my name is Evie. I'm a reporter at the CBS affiliate in Spartanburg,
SC. I'm working on a story about "Beating Rush Hour" in our area and
part of it will include road rage. I've looked at your website and found it very
resourceful. Do you have a media packet you guys send out or tapes of
interviews? Can I refer the website and some of it's information to our
viewers? We would of course give your site credit for any information we would use.
Let me know....
Evie
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Hi Evie,
Thanks for your interest in our site. Yes I hereby give you permission to quote from
our site. Please reference as follows: to our site address:
DrDriving.org
to our book:
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving (Prometheus Books, 2000).
We don't have tapes but we have transcripts of interviews and quotes about
us in these two files:
http://DrDriving.org/about/interviews4.htm
http://DrDriving.org/news/review1.htm
We also have photographs and bios here:
http://DrDriving.org/about/
Any other information or topic I can help you find on our site? Please email me.
I'd appreciate an email when you're airing the segment! Thanks.
Aloha,
Leon James
Diane Nahl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
I am doing a speech on stress management. Is there a link between Road Rage and
excessive stress. If there is can you send me some info on it or some sites I could check
on.
Thank you!
Sharon
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Hi Sharon,
just type in "driving and stress" on my site and in any search engine on the
Web. You'll get plenty of hits.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
--Canadian Insurance-NEWS
3. I PROMISE PROGRAM AIMED AT REDUCING TEEN DRIVING FATALITIES
A soon-to-be-launched teen safety driving program, in which a young driver signs an
agreement to drive safely and is closely monitored through a 1-800 number decal affixed to
the vehicle, is billed as a way for insurers to practice loss prevention. The North
American-wide I Promise program involves the signing of a contract between parent and
teen, with others calling in to report the performance of a young driver. The goal is to
reduce the number of teens dying or injured in car crashes.
"This gives insurers a chance to practice loss prevention while at the same time
do a phenomenal bit of social marketing," says Gary Direnfeld, executive director of
I Promise.
Once the program is launched, insurers will purchase yet-to-be-determined subscriptions
to the program and pass them along to policyholders at no cost. To date, George Cooke, CEO
of Dominion of Canada, is on board with the project.
Jan Lowther, I Promise's director of insurer relations and communications, and
Direnfeld are happy with the positive response the program has received. "We have
very broad-based community support," says Direnfeld. "We are currently
negotiating with a number of insurers to adopt the program." Direnfeld says a model
of the program has been developed and is set to launch in January, 2002. He adds that a
three-year research study will determine the effectiveness of the program, through driving
comparisons of I Promise members and non-members.
Warm regards,
Guy L
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
I'm a police sergeant and was just ask to speak next wed. to a group of insurance
agents on road rage. what literature is available ? do u provide info to law
enforcement ???
Larry
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
I recommend my site DrDriving.org (use the search engine there) and my new book:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
HI Dr James,
I'm reading through your students' reports; one of the most interesting to me is the
Susan Strick one on Music Effects on Drivers' Reaction Times. I am wondering--do you have
any kind of wrap up report, something to summarize so far what students find in general
about music and its effect on driving?
And, do you have any advice for urban drivers about what to listen to and what not to
listen to on the radio to stay safe and sane? If you'd rather talk by phone, I would be
happy to call you anytime on Thursday.
Thanks,
Misty
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Hi Misty,
In answer to your question, let me quote a couple of pages in
our book where we discuss
cars, driving, and music. Email us if you want other questions answered more specifically.
Aloha.
CHAPTER 12: DREAM CARS AND DRIVING REALITIES
by
Leon James and Diane Nahl
In the Driver's Image
What do we look for in a car? One 1986 report describes an experiment to discover
hidden or unconscious motives for buying certain kinds of cars.1 The researchers compared
responses to what people liked about cars, first in a normal state, and then in a
hypnotized state. Their answers were revealingly different. In the normal state people
mentioned pragmatic things that are ordinarily important to car owners--price,
reliability, comfort, and appearance. In the hypnotized state they spoke of the liberating
sense of freedom that motoring brings and the sense of exhilaration that comes from
driving fast. Precautions like wearing seat-belts were dismissed as timid and unnecessary.
They imagined that driving in busy traffic is a pleasant and interesting experience.
All
drivers were perceived as friendly "beings of power" controlling wonderful
machines in beautiful highway settings. The cars they were driving in their imagination
were dream cars--ultrafast, amphibious, and powerful, with luxury features. Of course,
none of these people actually drove cars like this and they didn't see many drivers that
behave like those in their idealized imagination. Could it be that people drive in their
imagination more than on the real road? Some psychiatrists believe that our fantasies are
driven by unfulfilled desires. According to Freud, every fantasy contains the fulfillment
of a wish. An idealized image of ourselves in cars "improves" the unsatisfactory
reality.
Car commercials appeal to unfulfilled fantasies of distinction, uniqueness,
independence, and superiority. The implied message is: Own this particular car and you'll
have these desired qualities. Buyers are influenced by such commercials because cars
confer a special social identity on their owners. Self-witnessing reports of drivers
frequently reveal that they correlate the car's appearance with its driver. When they see
a luxurious or unusual car, in their mind its owner also takes on these
characteristics--rich, educated, competent, good looking, and well dressed. Old and
unattractive cars had unkempt, lazy, unreliable owners who made driving blunders. Though
their expectations were not necessarily met, drivers continued to perceive car and owner
in this way. A cover story in Psychology Today recognizes that people have revered
cars for a century, and there's no "slowing down our ongoing love affair with the
car."2 The automobile has radically altered the way we live and build our homes, and
is certainly one of the most significant objects of our age. Ego and self-image are
intertwined with a sense of control and power expressed in the names manufacturers give to
their models: Jaguar, Cougar, Eagle, Mustang, Blazer, Wrangler, Taurus, Viper, Cobra,
Range Rover, Explorer.
Car ads use words that describe cars in terms that evoke human
drama and emotion: impulse, wild, spirit, dream, passion. Marketing appeals to our sense
of ultimate attainment when the car in the ad is described as "beyond unique" or
"supra distinctive" or "ultra knockout." This is not simply a male
preoccupation with power and dominance. Kate Culkin writes in Ladies, Start Your Engines:
Women Writers on Cars and the Road3 Speeding down I-80 in my El Camino, I am the
most powerful woman in the world. Look out plastic import, I think, take that, puny sports
car; if push comes to shove, I'll crush you without a second thought. Eating with one
hand, steering with the other, I realize women with big American cars don't need
self-assertiveness training--a V-8 engine would empower anyone, male or female.
Back in the 1930s there was a popular stage song that went4
I'm wild about horns on automobiles that go 'Ta ta ta ta ' 'Ta ta ta ta'
Thirty-five bucks I'm glad I saved my dough to buy one
To be in style you ought to try one
For Sirens or Klaxons, the girls never fall
But I get attention when they hear that call
I'm wild about horns on automobiles that go 'Ta ta ta ta ta ta ta'
Many songs featuring the romance of cars and driving have made it to the top of
the music charts. Songs like Hey Little Cobra, Hitchin' A Ride, Car Wash, Mercedes Boy,
and Pink Cadillac celebrate taking pride in your vehicle, feelings of superiority in speed
and horsepower, independence, partying, and a freewheeling lifestyle. Automobile
poetry and nicknames for cars reflect the enthusiasm people feel for their cars, but there
may be a down side when these mental images are internalized and used as symbols of how we
should be driving and how we should perceive other cars and their drivers in relation to
ourselves. According to the world portrayed by automobile ads the car we drive must be
super-charged with power and a competitive spirit. Commercials portray the new car that's
"just for you" zipping around corners, climbing rugged country hills, flying
through water, and zooming up palace staircases. A new car is sold as a status symbol, an
extension of the self, competitive, exclusive.
The car is portrayed as a home, fort, or
castle; tank or missile; dream machine; great for getaway and escape. A computer
game called Road Rage is described using metaphors of power and excitement as "a
hair-raising drive at fantastic speed." The exaggerated way we normally talk and
think about cars, fueled by super-charged automobile ads, could contribute to the current
negative culture on highways by encouraging and romanticizing status competition,
aggressiveness, hostility, envy, intolerance and disrespect for other drivers. A
heightened sense of emotional territoriality which some ads promote, draws drivers into a
me-against-them attitude that could lower the threshold for aggressive driving. While
helping drivers with road rage containment and recovery, we have noticed a strong
resistance to adopting a more supportive or prosocial driving style.
Many of us who have
grown up in the car culture have developed a subconscious fear of looking like wimps on
the road. We owners are supposed to think and feel in superlative terms. The extreme has
become the norm. This has become a deep-seated cultural value. This dramatic inner outlook
unknowingly influences how people feel behind the wheel, what thoughts they have when
driving, and how they treat each other on the road. In and of itself, the passion
for beautiful, high-performance cars doesn't require a high-handed attitude of disrespect
toward other drivers. A love of cars can be compatible with supportive driving. Motorists
who take car ownership and driving seriously stay knowledgeable about technical details,
performance, and safety.
They feel deeply about the importance of doing the right thing,
whether it's buying, maintenance, or handling on the road. If they see a dirty, shabby
looking car, they feel the owner is neglecting or mistreating the vehicle. In an important
sense they're on the right side because many accidents are caused by drivers who are
insufficiently caring or alert to problems with their cars. The problem starts when
"being right" turns into "being righteous." The self-image game has
then gone too far. We predict that as more people become involved in lifelong driver
self-improvement the symbols of excellence in the marketing world will turn to supportive
driving portrayals.
Driving Music
Music has become an integral part of the driving experience. Sound systems are
the most popular accessory, and drivers often spend hundreds of dollars on good ones.
Drivers are affected by music, carefully selecting types that have the desired effect for
them, and avoiding others. For some, music is used to create a loud interior environment:
Personally I like Fear Factory. Gets you in a wickedly hyped up mood (not road rage) and
lets you concentrate on driving like never before, also keeps you awake on those long
drives. (Young man)
I don't know about going on a drive and listening to Dark Side of the
Moon, too many quiet bits. (Middle aged woman)
For me it's the Delicate Sound of Thunder
(Comfortably Numb version) turned up to about 20 going through a good ten-speaker system.
Of course it sucks when you've only got a six minute drive to get somewhere, and are
forced to sit outside your mates' house for the last minute with the stereo that loud
because it's sacrilege to turn it down or off before it finishes. (Young man)
However, not
everyone wants music to influence them while driving:
For a few months I didn't have
the money to replace my broken car radio. I was saving for a Blaupunkt. So for awhile, I
drove acappela, so to speak. Strangely, I grew to like not having a car radio. When I
finally saved enough money to buy a radio, I didn't. I enjoyed the sounds of silence. My
daily commute became intellectually interesting. I started thinking about all sorts of
things about my personal philosophy. I realized that the lack of a car radio had liberated
me. All along I believed the music coming from the little speakers in the door set me
free. Now I realize that it was limiting me. (Young man)
I got caught speeding twice
in my life and both of the times it was because I was listening to the music in my car and
did not realize how fast I was going. When my favorite music comes out, I just lose
myself! On a different day, I was driving and realized that the music was off. It was a
bit of surprise because I was so calm and relaxed that it was almost like I was
meditating. So I recommend that you sometimes stop listening to the music in your car.
It's really different! (Young man)
One of our correspondents sent us a school report
in which she showed that her teenaged friends took longer to apply the brake when a sign
came up while driving to loud music. They responded to signs faster when there was no loud
music playing.4 Contrary to common belief, music may not immunize drivers from
feeling enraged during routine traffic events
There was no traffic. Everyone was
signaling. I was happy. On the way, I even noticed that I was singing. It was weird
because I came to a realization that when I drove, I usually only sing during slow songs
and not the fast songs. There happened to be a stalled car on the far right shoulder lane.
When the cars began to break to "rubberneck", I became enraged, and I started
swearing and cussing to the cars in front of me for slowing down. I even remember
pretending that my handbrake was a machine gun and I "shot" all the cars in
front of me. (Young man)
Music has the power to calm or excite, to sooth or to
inflame. If listening to music works to ease aggressive thoughts and feelings while
driving, for some it can be an effective preventive agent. If drivers choose provocative
music that encourages aggressive thinking, it may exaggerate emotional reactions in
routine incidents.
The above is a quote from
our book.
See also this file on music and driving:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/music.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 12 Apr 2001
Dear Dr. Driving
I have been driving a school bus in NH for almost five years now. I consider
myself a very good driver and attended many training programs and got involved as much as
possible to always learn more and keep up with new rules etc.. Back in February, I was
driving as a sub for a private bus company, (and was sent in many different unknown Towns
on a daily basis to do unfamiliar routes at the last minute). In one particular Town, and
the frost heaves were quite severe for most of the route, keeping driving to a mere 20 mph
or so; I rounded a bend in a school zone, carrying 4 or 5 special needs passengers and an
adult monitor. Coming around the bend I saw a police officer parked at the school
entranceway. The yellow light was flashing for the school zone to advise of the lower
speed limit. The frost heaves in that particular area were not so bad. I waved good
morning to the officer as I drove past.
During this whole time, the monitor was explaining
to me where the next driveway was that I needed to turn into, children were making noise,
and I was unfamiliar to the surroundings and much was going on. There was light traffic on
a clear morning. The officer pulled out and motioned me over. I feel I was not treated
fairly and politely by the officer who happened to be the chief of that Town. I was given
a ticket for a 15 mph over the limit in a school zone in a school bus with students on. I
did not believe I could win in Court, My word against his, and he said he clocked me by
radar. I maintain innocence for that rate of speed. I also didn't know that I admitted
guilt by paying the fine and pleading no contest. I had written a letter to the chief of
police (which I did not keep, More mistakes).
He wrote me a letter back making it very
clear that it would make no sense for me to try and fight it. Now, I just received a
notice in the mail to appear for a hearing with pupil transportation in regards to the
possibility of losing my school bus certificate. I've had no other convictions or
accidents previous and I'm very devastated because I've worked so hard to be the best and
safe driver that I believe I am. I would never deliberately speed in a school zone on
purpose. I have since changed employment for a school district because my Family is
covered on Medical insurance through it, a great benefit. My new employer could vouch for
my driving skills and abilities. I'm terrified to lose my certificate. I always respect
the law and believe in our police and the system. I feel this is a harsh punishment to me
and now waiting for the hearing is putting incredible stress on me and my family. I'm not
always good with words and I get very nervous in front of others.
I still think I'm
innocent and I don't know what to say to pupil transportation and how to handle this. I
don't feel hopeful that anyone will believe me. I study hard and score 100 on my bus
tests, I work very hard and take pride in my job. I love my job as a school bus driver and
would never jeopardize students or other motorists. Is there any advice you can give me?
I'm very upset and I have another week to feel this way. I'm trying hard not to look at it
negatively, but other law enforcement co-students in college led me to believe that I will
lose my certificate. The only other violation I had in the past out of 25 years of driving
was in October 1995 or96. A van of woman in Baltimore coming home from a Christian
seminar. I was at the rear of traffic trying to keep up with the leading van who was
speeding, (I didn't know the directions and feared being lost). I was stopped then, being
at the back of the line and out of Town. That is the only other violation in my years of
driving. I appreciate any feedback. Sorry this is so long and if I just rattled my
feelings. Thank you! JW from NH
Thu, 12 Apr 2001
Hi Jw,
I'm sorry to hear about your woes. It does sound like you deserve to keep your license
and job. I am with you. IN terms of advice--Well, this is a legal issue so I think you
need to consult a lawyer who could advise you to make sure your rights are not violated.
As for the anxiety and worry--Well, this experience may strengthen you in unknown ways. I
believe that God provides these experiences for our improvement. Just do the best you can
to take care of things but leave it up to God as to how things turn out.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Hi!
My name is June.
I am working as a professor at Dept. of Environmental Education, Kongju National
University in Korea. I found some common psychological aspects between environmental
behavior and driving behavior. To my regret, a traffic accident rate per cars of Korea is
highest in the world, and a great deal of educational efforts have been made but failed in
change reckless driving behavior maybe because of the inappropriateness of applies
educational strategies. So I'd like to introduce "moral driving IQ" to Koreans
through a Korean newspaper with my recommendation for psychology-based educational
strategies. Can I have your permission for the part (IQ) of your work? I expect that your
other works can be introduced and translated into Korean in a very official manner that
means appropriate credit and payment for the copyright. Looking forward to a chance to
work with you,
Sincerely yours,
June
Thu, 12 Apr 2001
Hi June,
I want to encourage you to use and translate any of the materials in Korea as long as
you keep me informed what you have done or published, along with the necessary documents,
records, and royalty reimbursements. When you have all these details, email me, and I can
give you official permission.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat, 14 Apr 2001
Thank you for your quick reply. I'd like to make sure two things regarding my use of
moral driving IQ. I promise you that I will make it clear on the newspaper about where
this IQ test came from (your names and URL) and you will get a copy of the related section
of the paper. However, this may not include any monetary reimbursements this time. I
neither get even a penny from this work. Can I use your work (IQ only) under this
condition? I also want to tell you how big the potential that your works have for
improving Korean traffic conditions. This is just a beginning. I hope you visit to Korea
soon and show us how a new dimension for safe driving based on mutual benefit and moral
reflection can be accomplished. Thank you. Have a good day. We have thousands of cherry
trees blooming here.
June
Sat, 14 Apr 2001
Yes, permission granted as specified below in your message.
Good luck and Aloha!
Leon James
DrDriving
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu, 12 Apr 2001
Hello from Greece! I came across your notes. I would really like to ask you a question.
Five years ago I bought a used car. The car (as I found out later) had an accident and
finding this thing out scared me a lot. I felt so unsafe riding that car that I was
driving it as if I was supposed to be ready to jump out of it in case it broke apart under
my feet. I struggled to get used to driving and kept it until recently when I exchanged it
with a new one. That scary feeling is still lives however and comes alive every now and
then even when I am not driving (e.g. when I am using a bus). Any piece of advice?
Thanks,
Cola
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat, 14 Apr 2001
Dear Dr. Driving,
Living in L.A. I run across daily...nay...hourly cell phone rage. Why do people
need to communicate constantly? Are they afraid to be alone with their own thoughts? Why
do men all of a sudden love the phone. I can tell you, from over twenty years of dating
experience men have never liked talking on the phone. Why the cell phone? Here is
one experience I had: I was just starting coming up to the on ramp of a major freeway.
This SUV comes swerving in front of me and continues to swerve and drive erratically onto
the freeway. I thought "My God is this person drunk or perhaps having a heart
attack?" I was seriously scared for this person and the other drivers on the freeway.
After honking and flashing my lights. I sped up to be by the drivers window side and
looked in....it was a woman trying to dial a number on her cell phone. Unbelievable!
Mahalo for your great sight!
Aloha,
Ally
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mon, 16 Apr 2001
I would like to start a private school transportation please e-mail me back with the
requirements for the state of Florida.
Thanks!
Ginny
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun, 15 Apr 2001
Leon James,
I've been reading your Microdescriptions of Library Research : A Longitudinal Study of
the Affective, Cognitive and Psychomotor behavior of Users and quoted some of it in my
dissertation about user studies and information skills. You haven't given any
bibliographic information on the homepage - would it be possible if you could just mail me
the year you wrote the report and maybe tell me when you'll be finishing the project?
Thank you!
Reba
Mon, 16 Apr 2001
I believe it was 1985. We have not continued the project. Let me know in what way it's
of interest to you--I'm always curious.
Aloha,
Leon James
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed, 11 Apr 2001
To all of my friends,
I am excited to let you know that my new website,
www.aggressivedriver.net
is finally
online. We will be offering practical information on how we can all be a part of the
solution to combating aggressive driving. We offer courses for the general public and for
law enforcement professionals also. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or
suggestions.
Stay safe!
Jenna
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun, 15 Apr 2001
Dear Doctor Driving
I am a student of the university of Denver and I am doing a research related to the GDL in
Colorado. I am trying to find a source of information that can give me a relation between
actual 15 years old population in Denver or in Colorado and the number of 15 years old got
the diver license. This ratio will help me develop some statistical analysis, not as
complete as yours, which is extremely excellent.
I will appreciate your kind help
Truly yours
Reggie
Mon, 16 Apr 2001
Sorry Reggie, but I don't have this information.
Leon James
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 13 Apr 2001
Dear Dr Driving:
I am doing a research task from school called "Alcohol and Road Safety". The
question says "everyone has a responsibility to prevent people who have been drinking
from driving". I am very confused with whether "everyone" has the
responsibility to prevent people who has been drinking from driving, or is it the just the
"individual's" responsibility.
It seems like both these arguments are correct because after all it is the individual's
responsibility to keep himself away from the wheel if he has been drinking and it's his
decision. However, shouldn't everyone has a responsibility in telling people not to drink
and drive?
I am very confused, I hope you can help solve my problem Dr Driving. Thank You
Yours sincerely
Christy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fri, 13 Apr 2001
Good Morning,
My name is Karen and I am a student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and I am
writing a magazine article for my journalism class on road rage. From what I
understand, road rage and aggressive driving is more prevalent among women than men.
I would like to ask you a few questions concerning this issue. I, myself am among
those women who drive aggressively and I also have very bad road rage.
1. Where does the term road rage come from?
2. Why are people in such a hurry to get to their destination?
3. How can we as American drivers reduce the rate of road rage?
4. How does one acquire road rage?
5. Are there any drugs that you know of to calm the aggression in violent drivers
I would greatly appreciate your help with this project. If you could email me the
responses to these questions, that would be great. I thank you in advance for all you
time, help and cooperation.
|