Dear DrDriving Letters Part 17

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Tuesday, 20 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: Information

> and I am writing a paper on air rage. I would love to be able to use
> your webpage as a reference and include some of your ideas as I think
> it provides some valuable information as to how passengers can prepare

Ms. M.,
Yes, please feel free to refer and quote from the site. Our suggestions
for applying "compassionate" crowd management approaches is unique as far as I know, and I hope it will be adopted as a customer service policy.

> Do you think that after Sept 11, people will be calmer on flights, and
> be more tolerant to waiting in lineups? Or do you feel that people
> will be even more anxious and turn to such things like alcohol to ease
> their anxiety... which can lead to an increase in incidents in the
> air. Is the passenger's and the crew's tolerance for disruptive
> passengers decreasing?

Yes, more tolerant BUT ONLY FOR NOW. I predict that the user unfriendly approach they now take "for the sake and in the name of" security, will be resisted by the public at some point in the near future--unless more terrorists acts occur. In terms of tolerance for disruptive passenger behavior, I think it depends on whether it is viewed as terroristic threatening or ordinary air rage.

Hope Montreal is nice as usual -- I went to McGill from 1954 to 1962 and have only nice memories there.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001
Subject: road rage footage

Dear Dr. James,
I was wondering if you have access to, or knew where we could obtain,
footage of road rage incidents.

Best,
Keren

Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001
Subject: road rage footage

Hi, Keren
No such footage exists--as you can anticipate, just as no footage exists of murders, and so on. Our RoadRageous Video contains simulated aggressive drivers, and Dateline has had cameras inside cars with drivers expressing their frustration and anger--nothing more dramatic than that.

Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001
Subject: When you were offline...(via HumanClick)

this is an awesome page because i am doing a speech on road rage so pleez email me with information for a speech

Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: info

You will find this information here:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm

Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: moral driving

hii....thanks for your reply....i am very...very glad that you've concern about my project. But actually, i don't have the book of Road Rage...that you've made, but i've read all the subject in the internet...i order one through the internet, but it's too difficult, i ask the book shop..but they don't have any. I'll have to wait for a long time. So i decided to e mail DrDriving. About my project, during this semester, i am doing sampling about Moral Driving Intelligence and the respondents are Maranatha's college students. I compare between male and female, age about 18-22 yo (late adolescent). I want to see the differences about Male's Moral Driving Intelligence and female's Moral Driving Intelligence. if you have more information about Moral driving Intelligence...please tell me.So i can complete my concept, because in internet the explanation about Moral Driving Intelligence is not too much .So i'll ask for your help. Thanks again.... I am so sorry if my English is not very good, I just learn it.

Mia(23)
Maranatha,Indonesia

Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: moral driving

Here are some sites that can help you with moral issues, the first part with driving, the second part in general:

First part: (driving psychology)

Second part: (outside links)

Aloha,
Leon James

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Subject: effectiveness of driver training

Dear sir/madam
I am looking for literature on controlled studies that have found negative effects. I would be extremely grateful for any references you have on this subject.

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Subject: RE: Men's Health UK (fwd)

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2001
Subject: RE: Men's Health UK

Rob, we hope this helps for your article. Let us know if you have further questions.

Question: Are there any specifically identified reasons why men are more prone to road rage?

Answer:

If road rage is defined as assault and battery, then men do commit more road rage. Historically and culturally, men have had more role models for violence and aggression than women. Men are conditioned to value aggressiveness, and it is a strategy for exercising control that works for men in every domain of their lives, including relationships, work, and competitive sports, including driving. However, women have begun adopting similar values and the trend for driving is that women are approaching the same level of aggressiveness. Recent studies at the Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health show that men drivers are 3 times more likely than women to be killed in a car crash.

On the other hand, women are involved in somewhat more crashes than men even though they drive 75% less miles per year. However, age is an important factor. Teen males average 20% more crashes per mile driven than teen females, but between the ages of 20 and 35 years, the risk of being in a crash is equal for men and women. After the age of 35 years, women have a greater risk of being in a crash than men. Perhaps at one time men did most of the aggressive driving but today this is no longer true.

Last year we conducted a Web based survey of 1200 drivers of all ages from around the country and Canada. On one question they rated their driving aggressiveness on a scale of 1 (not at all aggressive) to 10 (aggressive all the time). Men had a mean of 5.9 and women 5.4. Even though women see themselves as less aggressive, the difference is only about 8 percent. But when we looked at individual behaviors that law enforcement considers aggressive driving, there were definite patterns showing that for some behaviors women are equally or more aggressive than men. For example, the majority of drivers report swearing behind the wheel but more women report this than men: 65 percent vs. 58 percent (a statistically significant result).

Interestingly, this was related to the type of car they owned. For sports cars, women out swear men 73 percent to 64 percent, but for light trucks and SUVs they were both at around 66 percent. But with economy or family cars, only 50 percent of men report swearing but 65 percent for women driving these types of cars.

Another example, speeding, is a common driver behavior considered aggressive because it raises the risk for other drivers and road users, not just for the speeding driver. Drivers who admit speeding: men 46 percent, women 41 percent. But here too there are differences depending on the type of car driven. For sports cars, more men report speeding than women-62 percent vs. 41 percent. For economy cars, more women report speeding than men-42 percent vs. 31 percent. And for SUVs, the same percentage of men and women report speeding-about 47 percent.

Driving through red is considered aggressive because it endangers other drivers and pedestrians. More women reported this aggressive behavior than men: 12 percent vs. 9 percent. Even tailgating, the same percent of women report this as men-16 percent. When it comes to enjoying fantasies of violence while driving, more men report this than women (3.6 vs. 2.1, which represents a 42 percent difference). Men still outdo women when it comes to thinking about what they wish they could do to some drivers that cross their path.

Incidentally, when it comes to positive feelings behind the wheel like compassion, young and middle-aged women report more of it than men, but for older drivers, men and women report equal degrees of compassion.

In conclusion, our findings indicate that in general women drivers tend to be as aggressive as men though there are differences with respect to age, type of car driven, and how the aggressiveness is expressed.

Note: These results along with the full article may be read on the Web.

Question: What can be done to reduce the likelihood of our readers 'losing it' behind the wheel.

Answer:

The best way of protecting oneself from responding aggressively to provocative behavior is to be prepared in advance to avoid responding to presumed insults, negligence, discourtesy, disrespect or provocation. It's critical to remember the prime directive for drivers: Remain in control of the vehicle, the self and the situation. The instant you respond overtly to another driver's "bad behavior," you lose control over the situation since you cannot predict how the other driver will react. Many road rage tragedies began with a loss of emotional control after an aggressive maneuver, gesture or word, and then things escalated quickly, leading to tragedy or fear, stress and inconvenience. By not responding to the provocative behavior of others, the driver retains control over the situation. Men may fear that this strategy makes them appear weak, however, it is actually a position of strength because it does not increase risk to self and others on the road.

Don't try to make other drivers behave. Men may be concerned that if they let bad drivers get away with discourteous or dangerous behavior it will only get worse on the road. But this retaliatory attitude in seeking justice is even more dangerous because it increases risk for everyone, and many drivers are not competent to manage higher levels of risk due to age, impairment or inexperience. Furthermore, it is an ineffective strategy because inconsiderate or oblivious drivers do not improve their behavior as a result of someone trying to teach them a lesson.

People can use all sorts of tricks like making funny noises to interrupt their anger response, or listening to calming music, audio books or talk radio. Ultimately, the best prevention for the stress and dangers of aggressive driving and congested traffic is to become a supportive driver. This means never oppose any driver who is trying to do something.

Never block the passing lane where drivers want to go faster, and don't try to keep another car from entering your lane ahead of you. Just be supportive of whatever they want to do-this provides maximum protection. It may seem counterintuitive, but studies have shown that traffic flows faster and smoother when people accommodate each other.

Most drivers today were raised to have aggressive driving attitudes by parents and television, so these inculcated behaviors are automatic and spontaneous. No one is going back to school to learn to be considerate, alert and safe on the road. Individuals can change the culture on the road by changing their own behavior. Changing from a competitive to a supportive driver requires persistent practice. We developed a three-step self-help method as described in our recent book: Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare (Prometheus Books, 2000).

Diane Nahl and Leon James
Professors,
University of Hawaii

Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001
Subject: Prevention books writer seeks interview about road rage/aggressive driving

Dear Dr. Nahl,
I am a writer for Prevention books, publishers of Prevention magazine. I am helping to compile a revised edition of our best-selling "Doctors' Book of Home Remedies.''

Among the newly added chapters I'm working on: road rage, or aggressive driving. I wondered if you and your wife might be willing to offer some insight and tips for our readers on how to overcome road rage and deal with aggressive drivers.

You and Diane and I talked by telephone about a year ago, when I was writing a chapter about road rage for "Natural Calm,'' a book in our "Women's Edge'' series. You both contributed a great deal of helpful information. (If you didn't receive a copy of the book, please let me know and I'll make sure you get one.) I would like to interview you both again, sometime next week or in the first week of December, if possible. I know readers would enjoy what you have to share. This book will focus mainly on tips people can use.

Please let me know what day or time might be best for you, and I will call at your convenience. I probably will need about 30 minutes of your time.

I look forward to talking with you again soon.
Thank you,

Pat D

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Subject: (no subject)

Hello! I'm 14 and i will be turning 15 really soon how old do u have to be to get your learers permit(?)

Thank you

Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2001
Subject: need guidance

Dear Dr. Leon James,

Meeting you after a gap of time. Previously, I got a permission from you to use few words of your great work. The article will be coming very soon. I was very much impressed by that work and it gave me new thinking in my life even to know the people from their driving itself. Actually, I am more interested in this aspect of study and I would like to know sir whether any possibility of carrying out any research on this topic.

Right now, placed in India, but would like to contribute in this regard. Also, what way, it has the job opportunities. I am looking forward to know something in this regard in the future.

Thank you with regards,

O.M.

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: need guidance

> Meeting you after a gap of time. Previously, I got a permission from you to use few words of your great
> work. The article will be coming very soon. I was very much impressed by that work and it gave me new
> thinking in my life even to know the people from their driving itself. Actually, I am more interested
> in this aspect of study and I would like to know sir whether any possibility of carrying out any
> research on this topic. Right now, placed in India, but would like to contribute in this regard. Also,
> what way, it has the job opportunities. I am looking forward to know something in this regard in the
> future.

Hi, O.M.,

I regret to say that I do not know of such a position. We do not have a program here, just me and my wife doing the Web site as a hobby. Good luck in your search.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Subject: Help with project!!

Dear DrDriving,

I am Psychology undergraduate student doing a project on Road Rage. Wondered if you could provide an operational definition of road rage??!

Your help would be much appreciated!!
Many thanks

Gemma
Royal Holloway, University of London

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: Question for Mr. Traffic

Hello! I'm 14 and i will be turning 15 really soon how old do u have to be to get your learers permit(?)
Thank you

Dr Driving sent this question to me...........tell me what state you are in.

Mr. Traffic
mrtraffic.com

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: Help with project!!

> I am Psychology undergraduate student doing a project on Road Rage.
> Wondered if you could provide an operational definition of road rage??!

Hi, Gemma,
I give an answer to this in these files:

Road Rage Summary || Road Rage Book || Congressional Testimony Summary

Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: moral driving

Hallo Dr.Driving...
Thank you so much for your help...I am really...really glad that you have respon my e mail...Now i'm trying to find the concept that i really need...Once again thank you so much.... I hope you're not get tired to read my e mail.......

Mia

Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
Subject: Interested !!!!

Hi I am a police officer from the UK I am researching motorcycle related research and am interested in your work Have you looked at Motorcycles at all. I am keen to get in contact to compare research. ect please reply.

Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
Subject: are females better drivers then males

dear Dr driving
i am doing a depate for school on females are better drivers than males can you send me some info on it please facts facts can u have lots of facts in it

Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: are females better drivers then males

> i am doing a depate for school on females are better drivers than
> males can you send me some info on it please facts facts can u have
> lots of facts in it

Here are two files with lots of facts about it:

Gender Differences: Links to Reports || Facts and Stats

Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001
Subject: driving rage

I am a road rage driver. Mostly women drive me to this, both young-aggressive and senior citizen. Here is how to push me over the edge

(actual situations);

1. I am driving west on a 4 lane road, 2 one way, 2 the opposite way. I am driving the posted speed, 45 mph. A woman in a car behind me suddenly goes around me, and the slams on her brakes to make a right turn! I almost rear end her, skidding my tires loudly. I blow my horn, she yells and gives me the finger as she makes her casual turn around the corner. I turn and follow her, blowing my horn all they way down a 2 block street where she parks her car in a company parking lot, and runs to her job entrance, yelling at me the whole time and waving her hands around. I keep following her to the door in my car, blowing my horn all the time.

Am I angry? Yes. If I had rearended her, who would have been in trouble? Me, for tailgating her!

2. I am pulling out of a post office. I am in the left turn lane. There is a right turn lane. Suddenly a lady in a car behind me goes around me on the LEFT side (the IN lane) to leave the Post office, just as I am turning out of the Post office to go left. I almost hit her, blow my horn, as now cars are coming down the road, both ways, she gives me a sneer, slams on her brakes, causing everyone around us to slam on their brakes, then she goes on. I follow her, pull along side of her, blowing my horn, and asking her loudly what she is thinking/doing? She just gives me another sneer, and drives along like this is normal driving.

3. I am driving down a interstate highway. There is two lanes going one way. 70 mph is the posted speed. A car on the right is driving 60. The lady ahead of me goes around the car on the right, as do I, and slows down to 60 also, in the left lane, and will not speed up OR pass the car on the right. I toot my horn, I then blow my horn, then I blow my horn continuously. Finally I go around the left side of her, the median, where she speeds up to match my speed, keeping me from merging back on the road. The police observe what she is doing and pull her over. I keep on going.

I is an unfortunate fact that many women, especially younger women, nowdays treat their cars as weapons to use to control other drivers, especially men, by driving slower than the posted speeds, keeping people from passing, etc. I read about a woman in the paper who did not like a man speeding on the same street she was on. She used her car to force his car off the road. They both got out of their cars, she screaming at him as to what the posted speed was, he replied by shooting her in the face.

He got arrested, she has 3 years of therapy awaiting her. And no medical insurance. What did that accomplish for her? Her friends say that she has a tendency to speak her mind, worry about the consequences later. It is unfortunate that many, many women today feel and think that way.

Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 12:57:03 -1000
Subject: Re: driving rage

Thanks for your message, David, and your bouts with women drivers. The episodes you described were indeed frustrating and dangerous.

However, I can see from your tone that you are in real danger of one day getting into a situation you will regret for a long time. Why not protect yourself from such a fate? As you said about the woman who got shot in the face--What did she get out of it? You are in similar danger if you don't take care of your emotions. You need to train yourself with a series of exercises described in our book. Not only will you be safer, but you won't have these annoying and stressful emotions when drivers do bad things around you. Let me know how its' working out after you start reading the book and doing some of the recommended exercises.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: television

Hi Jessica,
We are available Mo-Fr 8:30 to 10 AM Hawaii time (1:30 to 3 PM NY time):
808-261-2382

To get the book fast you can call the publisher Prometheus that happens to be located near your area:

Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive
Amherst, New York 14228

Jill Maxick, Publicity Director
Ck54pbooks@AOL.COM
fax # 716-691-0137
Ph: (800) 421-0351, ext. 214

Please email us if you know the time in advance.

Aloha,
Leon James
Diane Nahl

Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
Subject: Men vs. Women

Hello,
I was wondering if you had an opinion on men vs. women. In speaking with my friends at work, I feel that the average man is a better driver than the average woman statistically. this would include accidents, tickets and violations. I feel that it is the case that a minority of men, get a majority of the accidents and tickets. The fact that men have more total accidents and violations, causes our insurance to be higher. just looking for an opinion based on stats, and your opinion.

Thanks,
Joe

Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
Subject: Rage at teenage drivers

Hi, my name is Alison and in December of 2000, I was hit head on at a high rate of speed (75mph in a 30) by two teenagers that had been drag racing. Both young men, one 17 and the other 21, neither one was injured (except a bloody nose), while both me and my coworker were almost killed. I had 14 broken bones, a transected aorta, lacerated kidneys, a ruptured spleen, and a bruised spinal cord. My friend had to have complete facial reconstruction of the right side of his face.

I was not under the influence, although they checked me, however, no one knows if either of the boys was drinking, because the useless state trooper didn't bother to find out the whole story. I have spent the last year recuperating, and so has my friend. I am sure that teenage boy has no guilt over what he did to me and my friend, and ever since I have had an ever-growing hatred of seeing teenagers on the road. I think they are too young and horomonally imbalanced to have a license. I am currently in the process of making the parties responsible pay...I mean pay.

I will take every cent that boy and his father ever hope to make for stealing away more than a year of my life with my children and my friend's with his. So take heart, teenage drivers, you ever kill or maim someone like me, and you will pay for the rest of your life. No amount of money can give me back my time with my kids, but it can sure pad the blow. I know it is not healthy to feel this way, but I think that it is garbage that those psychotic morons were able to get off scot-free. But hey, what goes around comes around, and if they don't pay in this life, they will certainly pay in the next. Her or in the afterlife... it makes no difference to me.

Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
Subject: mail

I would be intersested in any mail about driving psychology.

Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: Men vs. Women

There are various ways of looking at the men-women drivers contrast. They are reviewed here:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/gender.htm

Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
Subject: your question on driving psychology

Please consult this directory of articles.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: Hello

Hello! This is William. I spoke with you about three weeks ago regarding a public policy project I am working on. We are now in the next phase of our project and I have a few questions. Our public policy is to have those found guilty of exhibiting road rage to be forced to take a mandatory road rage treatment class. This class would be held in a local high school. Could we possible connect via telephone again? I can call you Thursday at 1:45pm if that would be ok. Please respond soon, and thank you very much for your time!

Sincerely,
William

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: High Intensity Music and Driving Behavior

Dr. James,

I am an undergraduate student at Minnesota State University at Mankato. I am enrolled in an undergraduate research program and have chosen to investigate the affects of high intensity music on driving behavior. Specifically I am interested in how music affects speeding, and crash frequency. I have the book that you and Dr. Nahl have published, Road Rage and Aggressive Driving, and have found it very helpful. I am, however, having problems finding specific research involving the interaction between driving and music itself. I was wondering if you have come across any information related to this topic or if you yourself have done any research in this area. Any response would be helpful, and thank you for your time.

Thank You,
Jeremiah

See this directory of reports on gender differences in driving.

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: Your Work on Road Rage . . .

Hello Dr. James,
I have read through your internet site on road rage and the congressional testimony notes from 1997. Thank you for making all of that available. I am doing a paper on road rage for a "Contemporary Social Problems" class with Dr. Larry Haverkos at Urbana University, Ohio. I found your previous work helpful and am in hopes that possibly you could direct me to any further current work you have done on this subject. Or is there at least a site that you highly recommend as reliable for research and figures.

Are you currently a part of any national focus groups relating to this? I would even welcome any last minute input you may have on road rage.

Thank you for your attention to this request. I am sure you get plenty of e-mail in response to your work and do not want to be a burden. A quick "reply to sender" would be very welcomed.

Thank you again,
Jacquey

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: Driving Survey

Dear Dr. James

I am a Psychology student and am doing a paper on different aspects of Road Rage. I cam across your site and specifically your Driving Survey, which I would like to make reference to in a correlation/regression proposal. I will not actually have to use it because the paper is merely a proposal. I will, of course, reference your site and credit the survey to you. I hope I have your permission.

Thanks in advance.

Elaine

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: High Intensity Music and Driving Behavior

I keep all information I have on music and driving in this file:

http://DrDriving.org/articlesmusic.htm

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: High Intensity Music and Driving Behavior

Dr. James,
Thank you very much, this information will be very helpful.

Jeremiah

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: Driving Survey

Permission granted--and good luck with your proposal.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject: selected passage from road rage book

On Tue, 27 Nov 2001, AskMen.com Response (5AG) wrote:

> This is an interesting article suggestion indeed. Feel free to let me know
> if you'd be interested in writing about it on AskMen.com to promote your
> book.

Hi, Armando Gomez,

Thanks for the opportunity. I selected three pages from our book that I thought your readers might like to see. Let me know if this is suitable or if you want me to add more or different text.

My photograph and qualifications or background are available in this Web file:

http://DrDriving.org/about/

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

=======

The Gender Effect

by Dr. Leon James

The cultural component of aggressive driving also shows when comparing men and women drivers. One of the items in our Web-based Road Rage Survey asked the 2,000 respondents how often they experience certain emotions behind the wheel, on a scale of 1 (never) to 10 (quite regularly).11 In the results for men and women we found differences in certain behaviors and similarities in others. The response confirms that when it comes to feeling negative emotions behind the wheel--rage, impatience, danger, violence, competition--men experience them more frequently than women. It's the opposite for feeling compassion for other drivers: women report positive emotions while driving more often than men do. These emotional differences between men and women carry over to specific aggressive driving behaviors:

Aggressive Driving Behavior (percent) MEN WOMEN

Making illegal turns 18 12

Not signaling lane changes 26 20

Following very close 15 13

Going through red lights 9 7

Swearing, name calling 59 57

Speeding 15 to 25 mph above limit 46 32

Yelling at another driver 34 31

Honking to protest 39 36

Revving engine to retaliate 12 8

Making an insulting gesture 28 20

Tailgating dangerously 14 9

Shining bright lights to retaliate 25 13

Braking suddenly to punish 35 29

Deliberately cutting off 19 10

Using car to block the way 21 13

Using car as weapon to attack 4 1

Chasing a car in hot pursuit 15 4

Getting into a physical fight 4 1

For each aggressive driving behavior, more men report doing it than women. The differences in percentage points are statistically significant for all of these items. Though percentages look close, this means that in any sample more men than women will report aggressive behavior. These results confirm what earlier surveys have found: Men drive more aggressively than women and manifest road rage symptoms more routinely. However, a growing number of women engage in each aggressive driving behavior:

Over the last 20 years, the number of fatal traffic accidents involving women drivers is up 18 percent, and women are involved in a higher rate of non-fatal accidents than men. Though men are still more likely to be involved in aggressive driving accidents than women, the number of women involved in these incidents is on the rise.12 The greater aggressiveness of men and the increasing aggressiveness of women drivers are cultural trends reflecting a rise in permissiveness towards expressing anger. Some of the increase in women's aggressive driving is attributed to the growth in the number of women in the workplace.

The proportion of women in the driver population rose from 43 percent in 1963 to 50 percent in 1999, amounting to 88 million licensed women drivers in the U.S. More women are stuck in congested traffic, experiencing the stress and frustration men have endured. Additionally, women have more stops to make while they cart children to school, sports, and lessons, as well as driving to work, running errands, shopping and banking. A 1998 Johns Hopkins University study surveyed a group of female telecommunications workers, and found that the majority (56 percent) confessed to driving aggressively at times during their commute, yelling or gesturing at other drivers (41 percent), and taking their frustrations out behind the wheel (25 percent).

The most important factor linked to road rage in this group of women was a high level of home responsibility coupled with a low level of emotional support for their hard work. Women are often forced to drive under time pressure during congestion. As a result, auto insurance rates for young women are now close to inexperienced young men, who are still being charged 18 percent above the base rate.

Checklist: Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings

This checklist helps to identify aggressive feelings and thoughts that are part of a road rage habit. The items are based on self-witnessing tapes of drivers in traffic and cover three common areas:

Fantasies of retaliation and revenge

High-pressure driving and competition

Impulsiveness and reckless driving

Since these are actual statements made by drivers, the style may not suit you perfectly but you may recognize the feeling or sentiment. Check each that applies to you.

Driving Area I.: Fantasies of Retaliation and Revenge

1. ___ When others cut in front of me so that I have to brake, I feel like crashing into them to teach them a lesson.

2. ___ When I encounter road hugging pedestrians, I feel like pushing them out of my way.

3. ___ When drivers become aggressive by tailgating me, I enjoy slowing down to pay them back.

4. ___ When I'm under stress due to work, I get very edgy and take it out on other drivers.

5. ___ I don't think passengers should tell me how to drive and I let them know if they try.

6. ___ If motorists around me act cocky and drive recklessly, I get into a rebellious mood.

7. ___ I passionately hate drivers who think that they are the only ones on the road and act carelessly.

8. ___ When a driver cuts me off and then slows down, I feel like ramming that car.

9. ___ I get nasty thoughts about drivers who force their way into my lane, especially without signaling.

10. ___ I feel like ramming them to smarten them up about doing dangerous things (eating, putting on make-up, reading, talking on the phone, etc.) while they should be paying attention to the road.

11. ___ When people run or walk on the shoulder of the highway I feel like swerving toward them to scare them off the road for good.

12. ___ When slow bikers take up a whole lane so I can't pass and refuse to move when I honk, I feel like whipping by so close they lose their balance and fall.

Driving Area II.: High-pressure Driving and Competition:

13. ___ When a car gets in my way I don't like it and I try to get around it even if it means taking some risks.

14. ___ In heavy traffic I feel a constant desire to weave across lanes, trying to get ahead.

15. ___ I'm a "gap-closer" and I make sure no one enters my lane in front of me.

16. ___ When I'm late, I have no patience and tailgate slower motorists in my way.

17. ___ If it was up to me, I'd have everybody else get off the road until I pass--like the President.

18. ___ I like the idea of saluting careless drivers "with respect" (flipping them off with my hand safely out of view under the dashboard).

19. ___ I don't have respect for drivers who forget to turn their blinkers on or off.

DRIVING Area III.: Impulsive and Reckless Driving

20. ___ Showing off for friends is something I do because I'm expected to take risks and not act like a coward.

21. ___ I enjoy loud, fast music while I drive--lets me feel freeeeeeeeeeeee!

22. ___ When I drive late at night, and the road is clear, I like to go fast no matter what the signs say.

23. ___ When I'm in a rush and upset I cut in front of cars and rush through yellow lights.

24. ___ If I had a few drinks but feel all right, I take a chance and drive home anyway.

25. ___ When I'm tired I become less alert but I still need to drive. I have no choice.

26. ___ Going through red lights should only be done when you're absolutely sure there are no cars that can show up in your way.

27. ___ I love to hear the tires screech when I take turns fast. It's a nice sound. Makes me feel alive.

Pages quoted are from Chapter 2 of the 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

Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 09:04:11 -1000
Subject: My Thanks

Aloha Dr. James

Wow! I certainly never thought I would get such a quick response--awesome. Thank you so much for giving your permission and for responding so quickly. Being able to use your survey is going to be a tremendous assist in the success of my proposal. Thanks again.

Elaine

Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: MD-550 Anti-Road Rage Testing Status?

Dear Dr. James:

Thank you for your explanation. Given our priorities, I would appreciate your returning the units to us.

Sincerely,
Jon

Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001
Subject: Student Film

Dear Dr.s

I'm producing a documentary style student film about road rage. I happened across your wonderful website and it's wealth of information. I would really love the opportunity to include you in it somehow since you are an authority on the subject. Unfortunatly, I'm in California and you're in Hawaii. So I was wondering if your travels had you coming to the mainland sometime over the holidays or in the next couple of months. And if not if it would be possible for you to endorse the use of your copyrighted material for a non profit endeavor.

Thank you
Jason

Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: [Re: Student Film]

Dear Dr. James,

I can't possibly thank you enough.

I will most certainly include reference to you, your partners, and your book in the credits and of course I will send you a copy of the final video. Your work is extremely valuable and will add so much to this project. The working title is simply "Road Rage" until I thik of something better and will be made in mid January in Anaheim CA.

To tell you a little more about the project, It is my first attempt at a student film. But I have experienced student actors and student filmmakers helping me.

It is not actually a documentary, but a documentary style comedy or "mockumentary" if you will. A social commentary on road rage that will use characatures to represent various types of drivers. The idea is that I want the viewer to laugh at the characters and say "Hey wait a minute, I do that too. Maybe I should watch what I'm doing."

Thank you again.
Jason

Hi Jason,

Thanks for wanting to include me in your road rage documentary.

Unfortunately I will not be traveling over the next few months. But you have my permission to use any of the posted materials as long as you give appropriate credit to "DrDriving.org" and to Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl, co-producers of the site and co-authors of all the materials. You might also like to mention 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)

For my record, please email me the name of the film and place of making.
Good luck with your project!

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001
Subject: How is my driving affected by 9-11-2001?

I am a conservative competent driver. My driving probably has not changed. When I heard it was happening, I basically raced home (no TV at work). Beyond that I usually drive with cruise control close to the speed limit. I do not honk. I let people in. I excuse them for cutting me off. Once in awhile I say "I wish you wouldn't do that" out loud, but I stay away. (Unless I am in my State Highway Patrol car). Then I do my job in a fair but firm manner. My friends liken it to the saying "don't get mad, get even". However, that is not the way it is. It may have been that way for me 20-25 years ago, but now (I am beginning to get long in the tooth) I know that I have the power, but I also know that I can be pretty creative. In this job, you start out as a technician. If you are good at it, and you are fairly smart, you become an artist. So maybe, I am slightly more tolerant on the road since the 11th of September this year. Does that count?

Mike

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Subject: Men and Aggressive Driving

Research shows that men are more likely to be perpetrators of aggressive driving. Why is this so?

Naeema

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Subject: Public Complaints

Good Morning,

I work for FedEx Custom Critical and handle all public complaints that come in on our Independent Contractors. I'm interested in your work with the aggressive driving habits. I have noticed that most the complaints I receive happen in the middle of the month, any idea why this is?

Thank You,
Michele
Safety Specialist

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Subject: whos who

Leon James:

I work at Drivers.com--we communicated previously during the Aggressive Driving Conference-- and am attempting to build a list of people who are leaders in the driver education and traffic safety fields. I know you have done similar work in terms of organizations and a bibliography, but I wonder if you have, or you know of someone who has, a database of such people's names and perhaps email or web site addresses?

I would sure appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks!
Doug

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: How is my driving affected by 9-11-2001?

Thanks for your telling your view, Mike. It sounds like you are what I call a "supportive driver." This requires that you be rational and caring.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: Men and Aggressive Driving

On Fri, 30 Nov 2001

> Research shows that men are more likely to be perpetrators of aggressive
> driving. Why is this so?

Hi, Naeema,
this is a complex issue. I discuss it in several reports--see here:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/gender.htm

http://DrDriving.org/surveys

By the way, you said "research shows." May I inquire where this research is?

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Subject: Re: whos who in traffic safety

> I wonder if you have, or you know of someone who has, a database of suc
> people's names and perhaps email or web site addresses?

Hi, Doug,

I don't know of one such place but here are some sites that have such listings, in case you don't already know:

http://www.edc.org/HHD/csn/buildbridges/whoswho/trfcsfty.html

http://adtsea.iup.edu/adtsea/default.asp

http://www.uwstout.edu/ctem/indmgmt/finder/Resources/drived.htm

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/newdriver/

http://www.aaafoundation.org/resources/index.cfm?button=links

http://www.webcrawler.com/autos/cars/driver_education/organizations/

http://members.aol.com/CalAssn/Traffic.Safety.Links.html

http://www.dca.ca/links.htm

Hope this helps.
Aloha,
Leon

Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001
Subject: road rage

Hi Dr. Driving,
I'm recently doing a proposal essay for my class and it happens that I am doing it on road rage. I just have a few easy questions, if you don't mind answering. =) Well, I've been looking around for facts and statistics on road rage like how many people in the world poses road rage and how many accidents are influenced by road rage? I seem to be having trouble finding info on this or does it even exist?

Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001
Subject: Road Rage

What if the driver in front of you moves repeatedly across your path in front of you going left then right to stop you from passing him. You are in a hurry because it is an emergency as you perceive the situation.

Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: road rage

> I'm recently doing a proposal essay for my class and it happens that I
> am doing it on road rage. I just have a few easy questions, if you don't mind
> answering. =) Well, I've been looking around for facts and statistics on road
> rage like how many people in the world poses road rage and how many accidents
> occur influenced by road rage? I seem to be having trouble finding info on
> this or does it even exist?

Well, you can check various sources in these files:

http://DrDriving.org/facts/

http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm

http://DrDriving.org/articles/book_toc.htm

http://DrDriving.org/articles/

Date: Sun, 2 Dec
Subject: code three accident

this past friday, i was driving code-3 and i had crossed over the center divider into the opposing traffic lane. there was a car in the center divider, the car had stopped. as i moved to pass it, it turned left into the ambulance.

my boss told me that the gps, indicated i was traveling at 52mph. i don't recall this. are gps's accurate, and if not, how do i prove this?

thank you

Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001
Subject: Safe Trucking?

Recently in Indiana while operating a Semi for the Gainey Transportation Service (GTS) I developed a problem with the steering on the truck. At speeds above 45 mph it would begin to violently shake. I found this terribly unsafe and when I called the company to try to get it repaired, they suggested I drive it 900 miles thru weekend traffic to a repair facility in Pennsylvania. All I could imagine is the truck crossing the center lane out of control and killing someone. I refused to drive it.

Though they didnt come out and say it, you could tell this made them angry. I stood my ground and they had to have the truck repaired in Gary Indiana. I'm sure there are other drivers out there who would have driven the truck that 900 miles that I would not. I think America should know what these people are like. My experience thru 4 trucking companies would say that each and every one is pretty much the same. When you get on an american highway today you are at the mercy of these rolling mastadons. Stay clear of them! Their not as safe as you'd believe. Sign me as "No longer trucking and proud of it"

James

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: policy

I am trying to implement a policy in my school that requires psychology teachers to teach about aggression and connect it to road rage and driving. I was wondering if you could send me any information or refer me to any websites that would provide me with some useful information about aggression and psychology that I could put in a lesson plan for the psychology teachers. I would appreciate it.

~Kelly

Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001
Subject: student at Monroe community college

DrDriving,

Hello, my name is Frank Chalk and I am doing a study on aggressive driving for my sociology class. My thesis is "aggressive drivers are using divence on the road". I have a lot of information telling me what they are doing and why, but I can not figure out away to say how they are using divence on the road. Do you have any suggestions for me?

THANK YOU

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: policy

> I am trying to implement a policy in my school that requires psychology
> teachers to teach about aggression and connect it to road rage and driving. I
> was wondering if you could send me any information or refer me to any
> websites that would provide me with some useful information about aggression
> and psychology that I could put in a lesson plan for the psychology teachers.

Hi, Kelly,

the best site for your purpose is our site DrDriving.org I hope you get a chance to explore it. It has dozens of articles and tests and surveys and related things including statistics, driving psychology, teen driver problems, even parking rage.

Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001
Subject: siren use

I live in a small town of approximately 1500 people. Our ambulance does not leave the shed without using the siren. I always thought the siren was to alert traffic of the emergency vehicle and to clear the roadway of traffic. I however do not believe that in our small town that there could possibly be that much traffic at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. On cool summer nights, we can't even leave the windows open to sleep because the siren wakes everyone up. I was wondering if this is the proper was to use the siren or if it is just the thrill of the drivers to turn it on.

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: policy

Thank you very much I was also wondering is there anywhere locally I can buy that book wothout ordering online? I live in The Rochester area and was wondering if any book stores sold it.

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: Aggressive Drivers

I just don't understand why people are so impatient on the highways. It seems, at least where I live, that people will almost break there necks and anybody else's neck that gets in the way, just to save a few lousy seconds. It's almost as if everyone thinks that there time is as important than yours. That's tacky and selfish. I live in Pensacola, Florida and I have been driving for almost thirty years. I was taught to be a courteous driver. Most of the people on the roads today drive like maniacs. I don't get it. Does anyone have any decency or humanity or even common sense about them anymore?

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: book

> Thank you very much I was also wondering is there anywhere locally I can buy
> that book without ordering online? I live in The Rochester area and was
> wondering if any book stores sold it.

Yes, your local book store can order it:
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

Let me know what you think of it.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: siren use

> I live in a small town of approximately 1500 people. Our ambulance does not
> leave the shed without
> using the siren. I always thought the siren was to alert traffic of the
> emergency vehicle and to
> clear the roadway of traffic. I however do not believe that in our small
> town that there could
> possibly be that much traffic at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. On cool summer
> nights, we can't even leave the windows open to sleep because the siren
> wakes everyone up. I was wondering if this is the proper was to use the
> siren or if it is just the thrill of the drivers to turn it on.

I feel the same way about the sirens being used in our neighborhood--they are way too loud. But some complain they can't hear them in traffic. Still they are too loud at night for sure. Maybe you can contact the fire chief and see how receptive they are. Let me know what happens.

Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: Research

Hi,

My name is Claire and I work for an advertising agency in Hobart called Cooee Tasmania. We are currently developing a campaign for the Road Safety Task Force and I am looking for some research or quote or information about anything that indicates the faster you drive, the faster your heartbeat. I would really appreciate it if you could get back to me as soon as possible regardless of whether you are able to help me or not.

Cheers,
Claire

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: When you were offline...(via HumanClick)

Thoroughly enjoyed the website. I believe that educating people on road rage is a major way to decrease the amount of it on America's roads and all over the world.

Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: Research

Sorry, I have nothing on heartbeat and driving fast.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001
Subject: Road Rage book

Hi Julie,

Thank you for your kind words about our book. Feel free to write any time you have questions about your teaching material from the book. The exercises are particularly useful to students. Our Web site at www.DrDriving.org also has a lot of useful teaching materials that you can explore. You will also find a helpful video course called RoadRageous that would be excellent for students.

God bless your efforts on behalf of reducing driving crashes.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001
Subject: Help

I am a 15 year old sophomore from a southern California high school. i have been assigned a controversial issue. My issue is "Are driving restrictions for teens fair?" if you have any more interesting stats and/or info related to this subject i would greatly appreciate it. This site has been very helpful. thank you and God Bless.

-Laura

Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: Help

All the information we have on teen drivers is placed in this file:

http://DrDriving.org/youth

Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001
Subject: road rage

I was wondering what would road rage be classified as? Manslaughter, First degree murder, second degree murder, or etc.?? And why would it be classified as that?

Thank you, I enjoy reading your information!

Casey

Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: road rage

> I was wondering what would road rage be classified as?
> Manslaughter, First degree murder, second degree murder, or etc.?? And why would it be classified > as that?

Hi, Casey,

As far as I'm aware of there are no road rage laws. There are aggressive driving laws in some 16 States. In road rage cases the prosecutors use various existing laws that fit the particular situation, e.g., assault and battery, kidnapping, hijacking, using car as weapon, shooting, etc.

Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001
Subject: permission for citation

Hello Dr. James.

My name is Nekisha and am a graduate student at the University of Maryland - Baltimore County. I am currently enrolled in a Social Psychology course and am completing a project on driving behavior in the context of Social Psychology. There are a couple of on-line references you have authored that provide information that would be useful to cite in my presentation and paper. They are entitled "The Social Psychology of Driving" & "Principles of Driving Psychology." I am requesting your permission to cite these references. Thank you for your help.

Nekisha
University of MD Baltimore County

Date: Sun, 9 Dec
Subject: RE: Stats

Hi, I am looking for stats on teenage (15-20) accidents for the year 2000. Do you know were I could obtain this info. It is for a math class to work a quadric problem

Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001
Subject: pictures request

Yes, but we only own the pictures of us. All other pictures come from the Web and are not our property.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001
Subject: RE: Stats

> Hi, I am looking for stats on teenage (15-20) accidents for the year 2000.
> Do you know were I could obtain this info. It is for a math class to work a
> quadric problem

Hi,
I put all the stats I have on teen drivers in these two files:

http://DrDriving.org/youth

http://DrDriving.org/facts/

Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001
Subject: (no subject)

Dr. Leon James, Dr. Diane Nahl:

My name is Danielle, and I am the Editor-in-Chief of the South Hills High School paper, The Growl, in Covina, California. I am currently covering a story on road rage. I would greatly appreciate if i could put one of the pictures on your website in the paper.

The issue will becoming out on December 21. Please get back to me as soon as possible. I also plan to call and e-mail you on Monday, December 10. Your generosity would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Danielle

Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001
Subject: newspaper feature story on drivers

Writing a feature on how we drive, good/bad drivers, etc. Would like to talk to you sometime this week. E-mail or call when you get chance? Thanks.

Peter
Feature writer

Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001
Subject: accident rate.

Hi Dr. Driving,

My name is Ildiko, I'm in the 8th grade, and I an sending this e-mail to you because I have a project that deals with the argument--Should legal driving age be raised to 18? Well, I looked some things up on the Internet, but my teacher said that I have to have at least 5 sources, and then I need to create a bibliography on the sources.

I have a few requests:

* Statistics you might have that supports the pro argument on the topic I have told you above. (Like percentages, or surprising facts.)

* Facts that might persuade some one to believe that driving age should be raised.

* Also, I have written an essay and two of my paragraphs contain that, peer pressure( teenagers usually drive with peers. Is that true?), speed limits and unawareness of danger is a factor of teenage crashes (ages 16-17), I need an ok of that so it doesn't sound like an opinion.

* Another reason I wrote why legal driving age should be raised to eighteen because of stress of parents... maybe you could give me some facts or ok's there too.

The goal of the information you will give me is to write a Fake bill, which I will pass onto the Fake congress which will be made up of my classmates. My goal is to pass the bill on the fake congress. As my teacher said, I also think that passing this bill will be very hard. I need current and persuading facts. I also would like any info. that I might put in my bibliography.

I appreciate your time,
Ildiko

Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: accident rate.

Hi Ildiko,

The information I have on the topics you mentioned are gathered together in several different documents on our site. I would suggest you look in these files:

http://DrDriving.org/youth

http://DrDriving.org/facts/

http://DrDriving.org/facts/references.htm

Good luck with your project!

Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
Subject: driving information

Hi Monique, Here some documents where you'll find the information you were looking for:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/book_toc.htm

http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm

http://DrDriving.org/articles/rr.htm

Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
Subject: tee cards

please send more information on the above subject. my name is Dty. L.M. Vital with Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office. Thanks in Advance.

Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
Subject: Teenage driving vs. Elderly Driving

I'm doing a research paper on teenage driving vs. elderly driving and i was wondering if you could recommend any books or websites that will give me information on this topic. If you could give me any information on this, I would appreciate that too.

Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: Teenage driving vs. Elderly Driving

> I'm doing a research paper on teenage driving vs. elderly driving and i
> was wondering if you could recommend any books or websites that will

All the information I have on these two topics are placed in these two files you can consult:

http://DrDriving.org/youth/

http://DrDriving.org/elderly/

Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
Subject: Speeding Tickets and Red Cars

Dear Dr. James,

My daughter, and I have been trying for days now to find statistics on what color cars get the most speeding tickets. She was trying to prove that red cars get the most speeding tickets, but we have not been able to find any statistics on this subject. We have found a lot of theories, but not numbers to use in her research paper.

Thank you,
Bob

Date: Wed, 12 Dec
Subject: red-light cameras

Mr. G,

Here are some articles on the Web that give a perspective on the issue:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2001-07-06-red-light.htm

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Dec/04/ln/ln32a.html

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Dec/04/ln/ln33a.html

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: Speeding Tickets and Red Cars

Here are some sites I was able to find about red cars and tickets. I hope they are relevant.

http://www.nsta.org/Energy/fn_color.html

http://www.colormatters.com/bubdarc2-car.html

http://users.nexet.net/askacop/radar.htm

http://www.aaafoundation.org/resources/index.cfm?button=carcolor

http://mathlab.usc.edu/finals/Math218/218fall99final.pdf

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Subject: road rage

My name is Jess and I'm a student at Gloversville High School. I have emailed you before regarding road rage. I was wondering if you had any statistics on vehicular or road rage fatalities? Or if you knew of any websites where I could find some? Please let me know. Thanks!

Jess

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: road rage

Hi, Jess,

I keep all the information I have involving statistics in these files--please look there. They have links to other sites with facts:

http://DrDriving.org/facts/

http://DrDriving.org/youth/

http://DrDriving.org/surveys/interpretations.htm

http://DrDriving.org/surveys/

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 0
Subject: Re: Request for interview

Hello to both! It must be great living in Hawaii:) I've included my questions in this email. Thanks again for all of your help. Please be sure to list your names and titles so that I can ensure they appear correctly in print. Here we go:

1. How common is "road rage" or aggressive driving today as opposed to 10 or 20 years ago?

2. Why has road rage become more common over the years? Is it just a sign of the times or a reflection on our society as a whole?

3.Give me a few examples or anecdotes (things you've seen or experienced) of road rage during all of your studies and travels. (I bet you have some good stories!)

4. How does road rage affect all drivers--from the angry driver to the unsuspecting drivers?

5. This may be a long shot, but do you have any comments or specific examples of how road rage is being handled in North Carolina?

6. What advice or tips would you give to our readers/commuters who feel as if they're going to blow their top and slide into aggressive driving? What can they do to calm down and how will learning these techniques help their overall health?

Feel free to add anything you'd like. Of course, I'll be drawing from your book as well, but these questions are designed to give me some fresh quotes and ideas to accompany the piece. Again, much thanks, and I look forward to your response.

Christa

Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
Subject: Request for interview

Dr. James and Dr. Nahl,

My name is Christa , and I'm a professional writer working on a story on road rage for the The Charlotte (NC) Area Commuter magazine. I have a copy of your book already and also have accessed your website, but I would like the opportunity to get some "fresh quotes" for my piece as well. In light of the holidays, I'm setting up source interviews earlier than usual.

I was hoping to either set something up for next week, the 17th-21st, or the week after Christmas, the 31st through the 4th. I can either do the interview by phone or, if you'd like, I can email over my questions to you and we can do the interview that way. That always works well too. Whichever you prefer. Much thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Christa

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Subject: interview answers by Dr. Leon James

> I've included my questions in this email. Thanks again for all of your help.
> Please be sure to list your names and titles so that I can ensure they appear
> correctly in print. Here we go:

+++++++++++++++++

> 1. How common is "road rage" or aggressive driving today as opposed to 10 or
> 20 years ago?

Evidence by the AAA Foundation indicates a 12 percent increase per year. About 1200 road rage cases a year are reported by police as assault and battery, as well as vehicular homicide. About 200 people a year are killed in a road rage duel. A distinction is made between "road rage" which involves assault and battery, and "aggressive driving" which involves multiple traffic violations committed by a driver within a few minutes. No hard data is available on how many times drivers have insulting or dangerous exchanges due to anger but we estimate the number to be over 100 billion per year in the U.S. This involves the majority of the 125 million drivers on the road every day.

++++++++++++++++++

> 2. Why has road rage become more common over the years? Is it just a sign of
> the times or a reflection on our society as a whole?

Road rage and aggressive driving are culturally promoted traits that we acquire during our socialization process. As children we are trained to be roadrageous drivers while riding in the back seat with aggressive drivers who yell and dart in and out of lanes. The majority of American drivers admit to this type of rushed and competitive driving style. In addition, children and adolescents are exposed to dozens of TV scenes where drivers are shown to behave badly and get away with it. This instills an unrealistic view of risk and lowers our threshold for routinely breaking traffic laws. As a result, aggressive driving is getting worse with every succeeding generation of drivers.

++++++++++++++

> 3.Give me a few examples or anecdotes (things you've seen or experienced) of
> road rage during all of your studies and travels. (I bet you have some good
> stories!)

We don't have any personal anecdotes. Incidentally, we maintain a Web file of news accounts of road rage cases here

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> 4. How does road rage affect all drivers--from the angry driver to the
> unsuspecting drivers?

Because of our upbringing we drive around with an aggressive philosophy. One common form is the attitude of "Get out of my way." Another is "I can't let you get away with this." Drivers become vigilantes behind the wheel thinking they must teach the bad drivers a lesson so they don't keep doing inconsiderate things. Since we are cocked to react with hostility, even a small or unintended slip by another driver throws us into a self-righteous rage during which we lose control of our emotions, and sometimes, of our actions.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

> 5. This may be a long shot, but do you have any comments or specific examples
> of how road rage is being handled in North Carolina?

Yes, there is a comparative chart on aggressive driving deaths in this file (when you get there give the Find on This Page Command (Edit Menu) and type North Carolina.

+++++++++++++++++++++

> 6. What advice or tips would you give to our readers/commuters who feel as if
> they're going to blow their top and slide into aggressive driving? What can
> they do to calm down and how will learning these techniques help their
> overall health?

Here are a few pointers:

1. Leave earlier by 15 minutes. This alone could solve half of the problem.

2. When you get to the end of your trip take a few minutes and make an entry in a Driving Diary book you keep in the car. How many minutes it took and what situations you found stressful or emotionally upsetting. Then ask yourself how you could reduce this kind of stress. (see below)

3. Tell yourself that the prime imperative for a good driver is to stay in control of the situation, the vehicle, and self. To react overtly to another driver, for any reason whatsoever, is to lose control of the situation since you do not know how that driver is going to react to you. Many road rage duels start by someone yelling or gesturing or tailgating or cutting off in retaliation. Stay in control, be safe. Do not respond. Train yourself not to respond visibly.

4. Decide to change your driving philosophy. Start a systematic program of self-change from an aggressive-competitive driver to a proactive-supportive driver. The latter says, We all must get through since traffic is a cooperative activity. Make more space when someone wants to enter your lane. This will speed up traffic for all.

5. Teach your children who ride in the car with you. If you yell and they can hear you, take it back and tell them this not the right way to behave. If you cross the intersection that has just turned red, tell them this was a dangerous thing to do. If you break the speed limit, slow down and tell them the law is the law and it's safest that way. And so on. Take charge of their driver education and realize that it starts in childhood.

6. Support Quality Driving Circles (QDCs) which are support groups for drivers meeting reuglarly to change their driving personality on a long time basis. Also, to learn how to use the new car gadgets safely--phone, GPS, email, eating, managing children passengers, etc. We support the idea that license renewal should be contingent on attending a QDC or else, on doing it on your own.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dr. James and Dr. Nahl are professors at the University of Hawaii. They are the founders of the new field called Driving Psychology. In July 1997 Dr. James gave expert testimony to Congress on the new aggressive driving epidemic. Subsequently Congress passed funding to support aggressive driving laws and police initiatives to combat the problem.

Their 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)

Their Video Course Roadrageous is assigned by judges to drivers who have been convicted of aggressive driving offenses. The video can also be purchased for home use. Information and free articles are available on their popular Web site: www.DrDriving.org where they also answer .

Email: DrDriving@DrDriving.org

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: RoadRageous

Hello Dr. James...We are currently working on our project. We have a question on repeat road rage offenders. do ou know any statistics of how many repeat road rage offenders there are nation wide, state wide, or of someone who would know if you do not know?

BILLY HALLOWELL
President/Creator Of TEEN WEB ONLINE

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: RoadRageous

Mr. Hollowell,

I don't know of any such statistics. Frankly I doubt there are any. The AAA Foundation study of 1996 is the only road rage study I'm aware of. That report is available here:

http://www.aaafoundation.org/resources/index.cfm?button=roadrage

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Subject: paper on 16 year old driving

I am writing a paper and doing a debate for science class on whether 16 year olds should drive. I am arguing for 16 year olds to drive. Unfortunately, I have found a lot of information against it. Most of the information for it discusses the graduated license and parent involvement. The problem is that I am required to find scientific facts to make my argument. (One fact the teacher gave as an example was that teenagers have better reaction time.) The paper must be scientific-research based. Also, during the debate, points will only be given for each scientific argument.

Do you have any suggestions where I can find this type of information or do you have any scientific based facts that can support 16 year olds driving? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001
Subject: Test

Dr. Driving,

I am looking for a test that I can give to high school, drivers ed students, to see if they are potential "road ragers". Do you know of any such test, and where I might be able to find it? Thanks for your help

Katie

Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: paper on 16 year old driving

Sorry, I do not know of such research. However, another angle might be to argue that 16-year olds are capable of doing as well as older people. In this case you can cite scientific facts to show that 16 year olds have the same score as older individuals on various measures that relate to driving such as: reaction time, vision test, ability to understand instructions, motivation to succeed in tasks, etc. To find research on these, use google.com search engine and type in age reaction time or age abilities, and so on.

Good luck.

Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: Test

> I am looking for a test that I can give to high school, drivers ed students,
> to see if they are potential "road ragers". Do you know of any such test,
> and where I might be able to find it?

Hi, Katie,

There are no such tests. However, there are questionnaire you can use on an informal basis. The best source is our book (see below) where we give several such questionnaires and self-inventories.

There are road rage questionnaires used in this way on the Web. I keep them in this file.

I would also recommend the materials in our Roadrageous video course:

http://DrDriving.org/video

THE 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

Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001
Subject: turns

Dr. Driving,

Could you tell me the proper lane turns for school buses. For instance if you are in a left turn lane and you are turning onto a street that has 2 lanes in your direction, which lane is it a law that you turn in to? is it the right lane or left lane or either? Is there a law that covers that in Texas? I appreciate your answer.

Thanks,
Jan

Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001
Subject: quoting Mr. Traffic

""Absolutely, people favor traffic enforcement, especially when you can show that it saves lives," said Kenny Morse, a Los Angeles radio, cable and Web site host who bills himself as Mr. Traffic. "There were the same sort of complaints with sobriety checks and seat belts, but now people are willing to accept them."

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Dec/16/ln/ln02a.html

The DOT director in an interview said they're going to use some leeway above the limit, but she wouldn't reveal what it is. In my view, the majority of drivers are not capable (lack the skills) of driving at limit. It takes hundreds of hours of practice and motivation to keep practicing.

It requires you to check the speedometer AT LEAST every 10 seconds, but more like 5 seconds the majority of times. Otherwise that needle very quickly can go over the limit. There is a visual radar speed display in digits that reflects your speed as you approach, on one of our streets. I try each time to stay exactly at 35, and my dial uncontrollably vacillates between 34 and 37. People need training and motivation to learn how to avoid photo-radar tickets. Since they don't have this training, it's almost unjust a fine to impose. But I can see it both ways.

Aloha!
Leon

Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001
Subject: help with my "road rage" paper

Hi, im doing an English Research Paper on "road rage" and i want to use your website quote in my paper. I was wondering if you can tell me what page is What is Driving with emotional intelligence? under? I would really appreciate it. Thank you

Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: help withmy "road rage" paper

> Hi, im doing an English Research Paper on
> "road rage" and i want to use your website quote in my paper. I was wondering
> if you can tell me what page is
> What is Driving with emotional intelligence?
> under? I would really appreciate it. Thank you

Try these three documents:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/book_toc.htm

http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm

Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: turns (fwd)

leon@hawaii.edu writes:

Thanks,
Jan

Jan.......

My friend, Dr. Driving, forwarded your question to me. In Texas, when you make a left turn from a dedicated left hand turn lane, you need to go into the left lane on the street you're turning into. Happy Holidays.

Kenny Morse
Mr. Traffic
mrtraffic.com

Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001
Subject: SIRENS

I ENJOYED SEEING YOUR WEBSITE. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT SIRENS AND THEIR USEFULNESS, PARTICULARLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. CAN YOU REFER ME TO ANY RESOURCE REGARDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SIRENS AND RANGES ETC? THANKS FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.

Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: SIRENS

> I ENJOYED SEEING YOUR WEBSITE. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT SIRENS AND THEIR
> USEFULNESS, PARTICULARLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. CAN YOU REFER ME TO ANY RESOURCE
> REGARDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SIRENS AND RANGES ETC? THANKS FOR ANY
> ASSISTANCE.

Thanks. Regarding sirens, the only information I have is what's in this file:

http://DrDriving.org/professionals/emergency.htm

Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001
Subject: http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm

Very interesting article.. I had a (or, was victimized by) a road rage incident today and found your article to be very comforting (empathetic) and frightening (no clear resolution). I wrote about it in my weblog, if interested:

http://gamehaus.net/stories.php?story=01/12/18/4659848

--r

Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001
Subject: Thanks

Dear Leon:

I noticed this evening that you have posted both of my books on your Web site. I just wanted to thank you for doing so. I'll be publishing my third one next summer. Called Safe Senior Drivers: A Guide for a Critical Time, it is intended to help both seniors and their adult children deal with one of the most difficult passages in life. I'll let you know when it's available.

Thanks again, and best wishes for the holidays!

Phil

Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2001
Subject: Met with Commander1

Hello Leon,

I met with Commander Davis, of the El Paso police dept. concerning our plan for road safety. His response is very positive, and he is familiar with your works on road rage. We will be meeting again, on the second or third week in January to discuss the details of our site, where it might involve the police department. With luck, I may be able to get an endorsement from them for our site! I will be in touch again, as soon as I have more information. Merry Christmas to you and your spouse.

Asta Luego, Allen

Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2001 1
Subject: traffic congestion and road rage

Hi Dr. James,

We spoke a couple of years go, I believe, for an article I wrote for the National Safety Council (I think). Anyway, I'm doing an article for the NSC now on the relationship between traffic congestion and road rage. I won't be doing interviews until late next week. Might we talk on Friday the 28th? Any other resources you might refer me to would be helpful as well.

Thanks,

Sherri

Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001
Subject: partnership driving

Hi Kathy,

The text of the Partnership Driving Contract is here:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/partnership.htm

I also paste it below in case it's more convenient. The cartoons are located here:

http://DrDriving.org/cartoons/

Look especially at the one called Traveling With My Husband. One other thing to mention: my Congressional Testimony as expert witness on road rage and aggressive driving (July 1997) is located here:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm

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)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1

OUR WEB SITE:

DrDriving.org

It was nice talking to you, Kathy. I hope you can give someone a copy of our book this Holiday Season. We'd like a copy of your article. Of course if it will be online I can get it from there.

Aloha,
Leon

++++

A Dyadic QDC or, Partnership Driving, is a method of driving in which the passenger is designated by the driver as a partner in driving. The two set up an informal contract between them that expresses the terms they mutually agreed on. The contract is for one trip only, and needs to be renewed each time. Here is an example of a typical Partnership Driving Agreement or PDA:

1. I, the driver, designate you the passenger, as my driving partner for this trip.

2. As my driving partner, I authorize you to express yourself freely about my driving, and promise not to retaliate in any form. I agree that you, my designated driving partner, will be the sole judge whether I am retaliating or not.

3. If I loose my control and you find that I'm retaliating against you, I agree to compensate you for each incident in accordance with our Fair Compensation Agreement (Note: this is something you need to negotiate and agree upon PRIOR to the trip, and will no doubt vary with different people.)

4. I agree that the purpose of designating you as my driving partner is to help me to know myself more objectively as a driver. This means letting you observe me and comment on my driving in accordance with your feelings and analyses of each incident. This kind of exchange will help me reach my goal of becoming an emotionally intelligent and supportive driver. We become drivers in accordance with our societal procedures and cultural norms.

Today, these driving norms are territorial and competitive, so new drivers are taught to be impatient and aggressive. The typical driver driver starts as an impatient, competitive, and hostile person behind the wheel. This is learned from parents and adults, and modeled after TV portrayals of drivers behaving badly, and not only getting away with it, but being proud of it.

Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001
Subject: re: an interview for an LA times story about couples getting into snits while driving

Hi Prof. James,

I write a weekly column for the LA Times about relationships and I am writing about how, for many couples, driving together seems to bring out the worst behaviors: nagging, niggling criticisms which sometimes develop into full blown battles. I call the car a hermetically sealed test lab for the strength of couples relationship. Would you be able to talk with me today (Dec. 21, Fri.) over the weekend or sometime on Monday?? I have an early deadline due to Christmas.

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001
Subject: Roadrageous

Kathy,

Here is the page that gives details about our Roadrageous Video Course

I should also mention that if your editor wants a photo of us, we've posted several that you can choose from and just copy off the page.

By the way, if you want to see the grandmother story with Leon and Diane, here is the Preface of our book:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

PREFACE

Grandmother: Leon is not a good driver!

Diane: Yes he is...what do you mean?

Grandmother: He scares me when he flies around the corners so fast. I have to brace myself to keep from falling

Diane: Oh, really? I didn't realize that, maybe you should sit in front.

Grandmother: It wouldn't make a difference because he just drives too fast and it knocks me around. I don't like it. It's undignified.

Diane's Story

Over the years I couldn't tell Leon that his driving scared me because whenever I tried he became irritable or angry. So when I told Leon what my eighty-five year grandmother had said, he scoffed at her "backseat driving." His position: He Is the Driver, the Driver Is In Charge-and passengers should only be cooperative and grateful. Passengers have nothing to say about the driving, for that is the Driver's Domain. "Backseat driving" is simply not allowed under any circumstance. Grandma's need to feel safe and comfortable was perfectly normal and reasonable, especially since she had arthritis pain. Yet as far as Leon was concerned she was simply a backseat driver, so her complaints could be dismissed. I was confronted with the harshness of this reality when Leon refused to slow down around turns even after he knew she wanted him to. It became a power struggle between them. At each turn, as she lost her balance and tried to right herself, she would gasp dramatically and grab the seat back for support. After each trip, she complained about his driving to me because she was afraid to confront him. Then I would repeat it to him, provoking his anger or skepticism. It was hard for me to accept that my nice guy husband apparently didn't care about Grandma's feelings-or about mine. She and Leon were good friends otherwise, so I couldn't understand why this usually sweet man would permit himself to dismiss our feelings when he got behind the wheel. When I tried to get him to talk about his driving, he simply refused and put on a bad mood to keep me away from the topic.

This was a taboo subject with him for several years, until Grandma finally broke through. One day she got up her nerve and shyly said directly to him, "You drive too fast, and when you go around corners you knock me over. I have to hold on for dear life and I don't like it. That's not how it's supposed to be." Miraculously, Leon responded with friendship and vowed to change his ways, and with concerted effort over time, he did.

Grandma was quite satisfied, especially because she could claim all the credit for inspiring Leon to reform his driving behavior. And I'm happier now that I feel free talk to Leon about the things that scare me in traffic without getting into trouble. Leon himself became happier when he discovered how rewarding it is to include the passengers' feelings as part of the driver's domain.

Leon's Story

The idea of "driving psychology" was born in my mind when I began to realize how difficult and painful it was for me to accommodate my driving style to the needs of Diane's grandmother. But I didn't like it-I resented her dictating to me how I should drive. It seemed ridiculous for anyone to drive so slowly and to have to worry about passengers when turning corners. Couldn't she just hold on to the door handle like everyone else? I thought she was just being demanding. and getting away with it because I didn't feel like arguing with her every Sunday.

Diane had suffered my aggressive driving in silence for ten years. Once in a while she tried to express her anxiety, but she was shot down instantly by my unfriendly reactions-denying it happened, questioning her right to tell me what to do behind the wheel, arguing against the obvious, being sarcastic, frowning, raising my voice, threatening, ridiculing, denigrating, ignoring, fuming, giving her the silent treatment. I often watched her silent tears in her seat, knowing she was depressed and hopeless, feeling abandoned. At first, my heart hardened and I became distant, remote, and cold. Sometimes I kept silent for the entire trip to punish her for being so unreasonable as to remind me that I should courtesy-wave to drivers who let me into their lane. I would fume to myself, Big deal. So I didn't wave to the other driver. It's up to me whether I want to wave or not. I don't feel like it. It makes me feel stupid, on stage or something. I don't even know the jerk who let me in. Besides, he's not even looking at me. What's this to her? Why does she have to care? She shouldn't keep reminding me. She should just take it, ignore it, and shut up about it.

Once in a while I would make a feeble effort to patch things up to get her off my back:

Leon: O.K., I'm sorry I made you cry. I'll watch it next time. Alright, honey?

Diane: That's what you said last time this happened...yesterday.

Leon: Oh, yeah. Well, I still think it's better to drive in the left lane. In the middle lane you have cars on both sides. You're totally locked in. There's danger on both sides. But in the left lane you have the wall on one side and you only have cars on your right.

Diane: I'm talking about how I feel riding in the fast lane, and the fact that you're acting like you don't care. You make me cry every time I bring up something that scares me.

But when her grandmother complained about me, Diane found a new freedom to speak against my "driving personality." I became aware of all sorts of conflicting feelings when grandmother rode with us. We decided it was time to investigate this problem as social scientists. Our systematic efforts to understand and respect grandmother's needs led us to create the new field of driving psychology.

This book brings together resources and discussion on road rage and aggressive driving from research studies, news media, government agencies, law enforcement, and citizen groups. A variety of Web-based resources are listed in the end of chapter Notes. For easy one click access to these resources, visit DrDriving's site for the book:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/book_toc.htm

PART 1: THE CONFLICT MENTALITY

CHAPTER 1: DRIVING IN THE AGE OF RAGE

etc.

Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2001

Hi,

I was wondering if you had any presentations/articles on the following subjects:

Road Safety

Vehicle Condition

Driver Competence

Maybe you can help me by letting me know of some website which might be of help to me

Thanks

Qamar

Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2001
Subject: Does anger cause greater chance of mistake/accident on the road?

Hi,

This is partially to settle a dispute, but mostly for my own interest. I'm writing you looking for evidence (as incontrovertible as possible, of course) that getting angry on the road Significantly increases chance of an accident or driving mistake (likely leading to an accident). I completely believe it does, and am sure that I have seen proof somewhere, but cannot manage to pull it from the messy stacks I call my brain. I truly appreciate any information you can provide and have already found the website very useful.

Sincerely,

Christine

Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2001
Subject: Psychology of Driving and Traffic Safety

Hello,

I've just browsed your site and am quite impressed with the material. My position has been that I don't feel the Pennsylvania Dept of Transportation has considered the extent to which psychology can be used to overcome some of our traffic safety issues.

Do you have any contacts within the PennDot system? Have you had any experience with any Pennsylvania based organizations in the subject of traffic & psychology? I'd like to stir them up on this subject if possible.

As you know, I am primarily concerned with senior driving, but recently was asked by a parent about what help was available for them to help with their young adult drivers. I've edited and enclosed below the inquiry.

**************************************************

We have both signed up for a course in late Jan or Feb 2002. However, we are mainly interested in trying to help our young "children" ages 19 and 23, but we are unable to find any "remedial" or "advanced" or "defensive driving" course for young people.

Our son (23) has had three speeding tickets in the past two years, and one accident that was said to be his fault, plus two more accidents that were not his fault. Our daughter (19) has three accidents that were her fault during the past two years. Our insurance company has doubled the amount of our car insurance premiums and doubled the amount of our deductible. My wife and I have had no accidents or tickets for several years, but we are age 67 in good health, and we want to see what the AARP course has to offer.

We are most concerned about our children. They are at that age when they already "know everything" and they don't listen much to their parents (us). We can't find anywhere any course designed to teach them "defensive driving", and we are worried about their future safety as well as our car insurance (the monthly premiums take a big bite out of our retirement pay).

I lost my oldest son at age 17 in a car accident (in 1972) and I'm extremely sensitive about dangers of driving. My youngest children (19 and 23) are now in the most dangerous period of their driving lives, and I'm determined to do anything I can to keep them alive, except I cannot simply stop them from driving (except perhaps for short periods) because it would isolate them from the world, as we have no public transportation available.

We are willing to pay for any good driving school to give our two children a day or two of concentrated "remedial" and "defensive" driving instruction, but we cannot find any such course anywhere in the Harrisburg area.

Why do we have courses for "senior citizens" while any insurance company will tell you that the drivers who are most at risk are those below age 25???

Please, because of your driving safety experience, I hope you might refer me to a possible source of instruction for my children, or perhaps refer me to one or more books that may be helpful on "defensive driving"??

**************************************************

I'm referring them to your web pages, but would like to be able to provide even more guidance if possible. Thanks for any comments or help you may be able to offer.

Ray

State Coordinator, Pennsylvania
AARP 55 ALIVE Driver Safety Program

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: road safety

> I was wondering if you had any presentations/articles on the following
> subjects:
> Road Safety
> Vehicle Condition
> Driver Competence

Hi, Qamar,

I would recommend that you type these words into google.com --you will get plenty of sites and documents you can look through.

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: Does anger cause greater chance of mistake/accident on the road?

> writing you looking for evidence (as incontrovertible as possible, of course)
> that getting angry on the road Significantly increases chance of an accident or
> driving mistake (likely leading to an accident). I completely believe it does,
> and am sure that I have seen proof somewhere, but cannot manage to pull it from
> the messy stacks I call my brain. I truly appreciate any information you can
> provide and have already found the website very useful.

Hi, Christine ,

I don't know of any such research. Perhaps you can explore the www.driver.com site -- they may have information on it.

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: re: one last question

Hi,

I read on the website that you started developing driving psychology in 1977 when you had students doing self witnessing exercises while driving. I assumed that was after your own experiences with Diane and her grandmother about your driving. But that is more than 20years ago...I thought the incident with grandma happened 20 years ago when you and Diane were first married? Can you straighten me out on time line? Thanks.

Kathy (I need this asap)

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: Psychology of Driving and Traffic Safety

Hi Ray,

The RoadRageous video course we have would be just what you need for your teenagers as well as for others in PA. Please look at the description on our site.

In the meantime I'm sending a copy of your request to Mr. Chris Huffman, President of AIPS, the distributors of RoadRageous. You can take the course with your teenagers (recommended), or you can have them take it online through the AIPS Web site. The course is used with aggressive driving violators by some traffic judges in several jurisdictions. I also recommend that you have your teeanger read our new book--it would make a tremendous difference to their psychology of driving. It is even better if you participate with him in the many exercises at the end of the chapters.

The book can be ordered from your local bookstores or online at amazon.com

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: re: one last question

On Wed, 26 Dec 2001, Kathy wrote:

> I read on the website that you started developing driving psychology in 1977
> when you had students doing self witnessing exercises while driving. I
> assumed that was after your own experiences with diane and her grandmother
> about your driving. But that is more than 20years ago...I thought the
> incident with grandma happened 20 years ago when you and Diane were first
> married? Can you straighten me out on time line? Thanks.

Hi Kathy,

Actually, I started studying driving with my students as a social psychology project back in the 1970s, that's true. But it wasn't until the Grandmother episode a decade later that I had to address the problem to myself. Until then I thought it was just an interesting area for applying our self-witnessing method which we had been using for years before applying it to driving behavior. Isn't it strange that after a decade of work with student papers on their driving, I still did not think it's a problem I had myself. Our joint research then took a new turn, focusing especially on aggressiveness, hostility, rage, human rights, relationships. In the early years I did not address these issues.

aloha,
Leon

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: one last question

that is interesting. I think that is true of most people that we see flaws in others long before we see them in ourselves. So what year was it that the grandmother incident occurred (I thought it happened the year you were married or right after)? Was it 1987? How many years have you and Diane been married??? Thank you in advance and Happy New Year.

All the Best,

Kathy

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: one last question

Kathy,

Yes the Grandmother incident happened in 1982, the year after we got married. We started the driving studies in 1977. We've been married 21 years.

Aloha,
Leon

Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001
Subject: print

dear doctor ,

I have a son who just turned 18 . At the age of 17 he received 4 moving violations . I have caught him speeding on the highway . I don't live with him so there is little i can do . Could it be possible that i could copy ( GET PERMISSION from you to print what you have on the internet ) This will be for personal use . Also do you know where i may obtain videos on teen accidents (crashes )

thank you
JOHN

Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: traffic congestion and road rage

Thanks, Dr. James. I'll mainly want to talk about the relationship between traffic congestion and road rage. What is being done to reduce traffic congestion and, therefore road rage? What if drivers can't avoid road rage? What can they do to calm themselves down when stuck in traffic, avoid traffic snarls in the first plact, etc.?

Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001
Subject: traffic waves Web site

Hi Sherri Green, Here is the Web site of the traffic engineer who discovered traffic waves:

William Beaty, "Traffic Waves: Physics for Bored Commuters," 1998

http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/amateur/traffic/traffic1.html

Here is a quote from our book (chapter 8):

+++++++++++++++++++++++

"Supportive driving focuses on facilitating other drivers to accomplish what they want instead of competing against them. For example, when you become aware of someone who's trying to pass you, keep your speed steady and avoid accelerating in order not to interfere. If you see someone just ahead of you wanting to enter your lane, if the driver behind you is not following too close, make more room by very slightly slowing down. Here the supportive driver may have a conflict of altruism: I want to let that person in but I 'm afraid I'll upset the driver behind who might not appreciate it if I slow things down. You're still better off adjusting than feeling anxious about getting ahead, and upset if you can't. One traffic engineer told us he loves traffic because it allows him to practice a form of driving he calls "eating up traffic waves."5 He does this in dense traffic by keeping the gap ahead large enough to allow other cars to enter the lane without having to slow down much. If enough motorists do this, many traffic jams could be avoided.

If you adopt and practice a supportive driving style you're protected from the road rage of other drivers because you're committed to putting up the least sail in their angry wind. For example, knowing that people rage against anyone who blocks the passing lane, you look frequently in the rear and side mirrors and move out of there when you see a car coming up fast. In parking lots you avoid people that rage against anyone who competes for a space. When traveling in other locales, you observe the driving norms practiced by local drivers."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE 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)

THE WEB SITE:

DrDriving.org

Take care Sherri, and let me know if you need anything else.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001
Subject: driving psychology

Yes, you have my permission for your personal use. Perhaps an additional material you ought to consider is our book. It presents all the information he needs to have and gives exercises. You can order it from any local bookstore or online. Also, you can give him our RoadRageous Video--see information there.

THE 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)

Good luck. You're doing the right thing, possibly saving his life and happiness.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001
Subject: My theory

Dear Sir:

I was watching an article on road rage on the Discovery Channel this AM, Dec., 30, 2001 I came here to my computer to find a place where I might express my opinion. I hope you will read my views with an open mind. Thanks.

I am 71 years old and to put it plainly, I've been around some. Coming right to the point, my theory of what causes people to turn into animals when they get behind the wheel of an automobile is this: Deep in our ancestry lies this cave man instinct that dictates, " When I have something in my hand, I'm more powerful than if I'm bare handed." Sounds a little silly doesn't it? I can remember when I was very young, I was raised by my Grandparents who were German immigrants, I saw my Granddad get into a heated argument with the junk man who came to our farm to buy some old junk iron farm equipment. During this argument, my Granddad needed to make a point in his argument with the junky. So in order to emphasize his point, Granddad grabbed a hoe which was leaning against the side of the house. He then threatening the junk man with this hoe in his hand. The junk man promptly got back into his truck and drove off the yard.

On another occasion I witnessed Granddad get into a heated argument with the neighbor who lived across the road. Again, Gramps grabbed at the first thing he could get his hands on, a double bit ax. Again, the neighbor backed down from the argument and vacated the scene quickly. ( In neither case did my Granddad strike out at his adversary, but the mere fact that he had something in his hand seemed to make the difference whether or not he won his point.)

As I got older, I along with a lot of other people in this country, began to frequent the saloons in search of what ever it is one is looking for after you seem to reach adulthood. And on more than one occasion I have seen bar room fights. And the majority of the time either the adversaries grabbed at an empty beer bottle or a pool cue or some other object to fill their hand. I have seen thugs go looking for trouble with a roll of dimes in their pocket so that when the fist fight began, they would again have something to fill their hand.

Under the threat of this becoming too long of a message I will not mention any more scenarios, which there are plenty more around.

The point I'm trying to make here is: AS SOON AS THE PERSON GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF AN AUTO, THE FIRST THING HE DOES IS GRAB HOLD OF THE STEERING WHEEL!! Need I say more? I don't think so. This is called " THE VOIGT THEORY."

[ What I'm about to say next sounds a little far fetched, but admittedly in the thinking stage: The auto industry needs to invent something to steer an automobile left to right with other than a steering wheel. Maybe a little tool the size of a large ball point pen mounted on the arm rest by the drivers seat so it can be moved left or right as needed to turn the front wheel to steer the car.That would do away with that fill their hand feeling that I think a lot of drivers succumb to.]

P S, I see the same style aggression when I shop where there are grocery carts, fill their hand again.

Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001
Subject: Re: The Voigt Theory

I think I understand your interest in driving psychology at a very deep level. Even before I heard that this warranted a separate field of study, I knew that people projected their deepest values, emotions and thoughts into driving.

One family member and one friend I have are extremely aggressive drivers. I crinch up next to them, imitating coming down on the brake next to them. They swear, they drive close to the car ahead, show signs and take over across the solid white line. They laugh at my anxiety and gaurded admonishments.

Driving is like a TAT or Rorschach projective technique. The stimulus is the driving situation. I think there are essentially four styles of driving:

1. Shark: High self, low others. I will get to my destination and you will prevent me, therefore I fight you.

2. Teddy bear: Low self, high others. You are important, I will make way. My goals (and safety sometimes) are less important.

3. Tortoise: Low self, low others. Apathetic and careless driving. Doesnt care for the self or others. Often substance related.

4. Eagle: high self and high others. The sharpminded and concentrating driver. Looks out for own and other's dangers. Do not make way if situation is dangerous (eg pedestrians). Positive self assertion without evoking aggression. Deals with others aggression appropriately.

I think we all have a major style and a secondary style. Eg I may start out with style 4, but when I get annoyed and find the situation non-productive I become style 2.

I think the Voight theory is true. Driving is a sociological equalizer. If I am frustrated and has inferior feelings as a blue collar worker, I know that I'm equal to the white collar professional driving next to me. My biggest frustrations get a vent.

Abie.

Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001 1
Subject: Will you help us with our press release - I Promise Program

Would you lend a hand for the launch of the I Promise Program...

As you are aware from previous emails, we are set to launch the I Promise Program across North America. The official launch date is January 21st. The success of the launch will depend largely upon the support provided by community groups and organizations - your help in distributing a press release.

Please find attached the press release. At your control and discretion we ask that you review the content and make additions where indicated by the brackets [ ]. Please feel free to add any other information you feel pertinent, or change anything you feel needs changing. Our objective is that you feel comfortable enough with the press release that you will help out by sending it along to your local media (newspapers, radio, television, newsletters, etc.).

We ask for this support from you as local media responds best when the "story" contains locally relevant information. While this is a national launch, it will only work with support at the local level. (This is like the environmentalists^� slogan, "Think globally, act locally".)

The year 2001 will certainly go down in history for the infamous and tragic events of September 11. However, in addition to the some 3,000 souls who lost their lives that fateful day, over 8,000 teens lost their lives throughout the U.S. and Canada and another 8,000 teens will lose their lives in 2,002 if action is not taken.

We are very proud of the many letters we have received from numerous organizations across North America supporting this initiative to reduce teen driver related car crashes, injuries and deaths. We now hope to have your support as we launch. Should you decide to help out, it would be best to send your edited press release to your local media by January 15th. Many will appreciate the opportunity to run the story in the weekend paper.

Kindly include us in your distribution when submitting a press release to your local media. We would like to place your name on our launch support list.

Best wishes to you for a safe and secure New Year.

Gary Direnfeld, Executive Director

Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2002
Subject: RT to stimuli with music by S. Strick

Hello Dr. james,

I am completing my Master's Thesis at the Univ of Hartford on the factors that Effect (predict) Driver Response Times. I have read the paper by Susan Strick, but her paper refers to the results in Table 1 and there is no Table 1 shown. Is there any way I could obtain the results of that study?

Happy New Year,

Jeff

Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2002
Subject: using materials

To whom it may concern:

My name is Brie Menut and I am the Chairperson of the chapter of SADD < students against destructive decisions> in Fergus Falls, MN. This month's SADD focus is aggressive driving. I would like permission to use your materials to educate the community on this issue. Thank you for your help.

Brie Menut

Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: using materials

Good idea! Permission granted, and good luck with your program.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2002
Subject: partnership driving agreement

Hi folks, I read and article on you in the LA Times. My girlfriends in general lament my driving. I like your message as to making the driving experience an inclusive one. . Excerpts of the "partnership driving agreement" were given but I was wondering if I can get the whole thing. I searched your web-site but couldn't find it.

Thanks for your assistance,

Jonathan

Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: partnership driving agreement

> Hi folks, I read and article on you in the LA Times. My girlfriends in
> general lament my driving. I like your message as to making the
> driving experience an inclusive one. . Excerpts of the "partnership
> driving agreement" were given but I was wondering if I can get the
> whole thing. I searched your web-site but couldn't find it.

Hi, Jonathan,

The address, along with additional links and information, is here:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/partnership.htm

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002
Subject: Hi!

I'm doing a report on "road rage" for school. and I was wondering if you can send me some information.

Why do people do road rage?

How can people try not to curse, flick people off, what can they do to keep that anger to themselves?

thank you
Josh

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002
Subject: Upcoming conferences

I am the owner-manager of a privatized driver testing company in Calgary, AB. Canada and am interested in driving related conferences. Do you have any future conferences scheduled.

Ron

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002
Subject: road rage

Hi Josh,

The answers to your questions on road rage will be found in this file:

http://DrDriving.org/philosophy.html

Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: road rage

Hi Mr. James,

I have a few more questions. I have decided to use the public policy of having non-marked police cars to patrol. Are there any legislative or administrative actions that are required to implement the policy? Are there any actions that are required to provide funding for the policy? And are there any judicial actions that might be taken to stop the implementation of the proposed policy? Please let me know as soon as you can! Thanks again!

Jess

Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002
Subject: A few questions

Dear Dr. Driving,

I am a senior at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, Ca. and I am writing a research paper on who I believe is psychologically a better driver, men or women. My thesis statement is "Women are psychologically better drivers than men are." I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on who is psychologically a better driver. Or is you could give me any information on this subject. Also, I was wondering if it would be ok to use you response as a primary source for my paper? Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Brent

Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: A few questions

> driver, men or women. My thesis statement is "Women are psychologically
> better drivers than men are." I was wondering if you could give me your
> opinion on who is psychologically a better driver. Or is you could give me
> any information on this subject.

Hi, Brent ,

I agree with the thesis. The reason women are better behind the wheel is that they commit less violations and take less risks. However, some women are more aggressive than many men, in driving as in other things.

Question for you: Why do you say "psychologically better"? What's the difference between (1) "Women are psychologically better drivers than men are." and (2) Women are better drivers than men are." Is this your choice? In that case how do you justify the difference in implications between (1) and (2)?

> Also, I was wondering if it would be ok to
> use you response as a primary source for my paper? Thank you very much.

Yes, that will be fine.

Incidentally, I assume you know of my site on this issue:

http://DrDriving.org/articles/gender.htm

Saturday, January 05, 2002
Subject: truck driving profession

Thanks, Greg. I appreciate your story and also your sentiment. I believe that truck driving should be a much higher profession than it is being treated now, to the great injustice to truck drivers everywhere. I've often wondered where this neglect comes from, what accounts for it.

There are many types of reasons that come to mind like the "official" ones, such as: Trucks are too big and dangerous, and destroy the road. Or, truck drivers are irrational risk takers, Or, They're on drugs, They chase after women, etc. This negative image is also portrayed in many popular movies everyone has seen.

Hidden is the real function of trucks, what they do every day and hour, how they make our contry work by having the goods when and where the customers want to purchase something. Hidden also is the hard nosed work environment of the truckers, the laws they're required to follow in detail, the rigs they have to keep in legal condition and running, the scheduling regulations and the dispatcher's tyranny. And to add to all this, they make comparatively less money than most people, when you factor in off hours, responsibility, liability, and inconvenience. And to add insult to injury, 4-wheelers give truckers a bad time in terms of hostility and lack of civility and understanding.

I'm not a truck driver and I don't even know a single truck driver except for the UPS delivery driver to our area. And yet I've realized all this about the sad state of your profession by observation and reading the things truck drivers say about their job setting.

Surely we can hope that things will improve and more justice and kindness will prevail. Thanks for writing.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002
Subject: help

Dear Dr.,

I am writing a paper on the new law for teen drivers. I can not find enough information to support my arguments. which include that some teens do need to use cars to get to work and school. even if they are provided with buses. Some are teen moms or males that have more that one job and the bus is not convenient. Could you please send me any information you can find on the driving ages across America. I could also use some of you opinions.

Thank you, Christina 13
TX

Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2002
Subject: Road Warriors

Hello.

My girlfriend and I love "road raging". We like to suck gas and hall ass. We like to drive fast and get there first. We consider aggressive driving a kind of sport. We exchange "road rage stories" or "road kill stories" almost daily. We also drive our cars together at times and enjoy "helping each other out" in order to "win against other drivers".

We like to drive with our fog lights on. We call our fog lights "attitude lights". We work well as a team boxing people in or doing blocking manuevers against those who won't let us pass or merge. When we ride together the driver is the "pilot" and the passenger is the "copilot". The copilot's job is to watch for cops, monitor other drivers, and assist the driver in successfully road raging when necessary.

We take our aggressive driving seriously. In fact, we have developed our own "aggressive driving maneuvers" or "road rage maneuvers" and have given these moves names such as the, "fake and switch" or the "sneak and streak, or "the slide". These moves were designed by us to defeat other drivers.

As far as our skills go, I have taken three advanced driving classes for a total of 24 hours of advanced driver training (12 hours in class and 12 hours "on track"). I also received 40 hours of advanced driver training from the local police academy to bring my total advanced driver training to about 64 hours. I am now in the process of passing some of these skills on to my girlfriend.

My girlfriend and I have been pulled over many times, but we have only been ticketed a few times because we know how to "talk the talk". Here are our records...

Carla

driving 5 years

2 speeding charges (1 charge dropped and 1 conviction)

1 accident (not charged)

Jason

driving 10 years

2 speeding tickets (1 charge reduced and 1 conviction)

2 accidents (not charged and 1 hit and run {oops! wasn't suppose to tell you about that!})

Not bad for aggressive drivers. If you are going to play you need to play to win. My woman uses her eyes and ears to keep from getting caught. I use my eyes and ears as well as a radar detector, police scanner, and CB radio. Sometimes when we drive as a team we use 2-way radios.

See ya on the highway.

Jason
:)

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: Road Warriors

Hi Jason,

Thanks for writing. You have given me a new vocabulary and concept: "road raging." In our Road Rage book--which I recommend to you with your special interest in aggressive driving--we explain that aggressive driving and road rage are learned in childhood from adults and TV and that every generation is therefore going to perfect the activity to more and more advanced degrees. The way you describe your road raging it is clear to me that you have perfected to a deeper degree what you have acquired as a child.

You are the first road rager to write--other aggressive drivers have written but no one having turned it into a conscious spiritual discipline, as you have. Given that I am acclaimed as the world's greatest expert on aggressive driving, you will not be offended if I ask you a few questions.

Your answers will help me understand this new cultural phenomenon.

1) How do you explain your involvement in road raging? Am I correct in calling it a "spiritual" discipline in the sense that you're doing it for your own reasons and passions, your inner growth or aggrandizement?

2) What were some of the hesitations you had as you started consciously perfecting your road raging? Was there any moral guilt? How did you justify daily performances of your own free will choosing that were hostile and dangerous to your fellow citizens, and were also illegal, of course.

3) What specifically do you enjoy about road raging? Scaring people? Breaking the law? Injuring people? Do you make a distinction between people (bad drivers? women drivers? truckers? etc.)

4) How does your girl friend come into the picture? Why did she agree and what is she getting out of it? My guess is that it's a way she found to relate to you, since you insisted on it and she wanted to be with you. But I might be wrong. Further, this woudn't prevent her from becoming a convert herself. In that case, what is her view on road raging (the female point of view is always different from the male--though they may be compatible of course). I hope she can contribute to these answers.

5) You may notice the motto I use at the bottom: "If you want to feel good, be good." Does this mean your take on driving is: "If you want to feel good, be bad." Or, are you saying that road raging is not behaving badly?

Once again, thanks for writing and giving me the opportunity to deepen my expertise on this important new social phenomenon. If you read our book, I'd like your reactions, if you please.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002
Subject: research on teen drivers

> I am writing a paper on the new law for teen drivers. I can not find
> enough information to support my arguments. which include that some
> teens do need to use cars to get to work and school. even if they are
> provided with buses. Some are teen moms or males that have more that
> one job and the bus is not convenient.Could you please send me any
> information you can find on the driving ages across America. I could
> also use some of you opinions.

Hi, Christina,

Here's what I recommend:

First, go to my teen driver site (http://DrDriving.org/youth) and look around. You need to read what it says, and then click on the links and read what they say. Second, after you did that for about two to three hours, go to google.com search engine and type in things like TEEN DRIVERS JOB WORK (various things like that) and see what you get. You'll get news articles reporting facts and opinions on this issue. Good luck.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002
Subject: Road Rage since 9/11/01

Greetings from Richmond, MO. Just outside of Kansas City. I am a School Resource Officer at our high school. I feel that for a short time people realized there are many other issues in the world that are way more important and worth getting upset over than how someone drives. However, I feel that it won't take long for people to revert back to their old habits.

Ofc. Steve

Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 1
Subject: Re: research on teen drivers

thank u mr. James,

i would like to thank u for the website and information. it will help a lot.

- chrisitina

Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002
Subject: aggressive driving dissertation

Hello Dr. James.

My name is Reva , and I am a psychology resident in Fargo, North Dakota. I'm emailing you to thank you for all the info on aggressive driving that you have posted on the internet. I found your site quite helpful regarding my dissertation, which is on aggressive driving and gender role. Now, I am in the process of editing it before sending it off to the bindery. After over three years, I still love my topic and plan to continue research in that area! Thanks again.

Reva , M. S. (almost Psy. D.!)

Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: aggressive driving dissertation

Thank you "Dr" Booth and good luck in finding a suitable job setting. You may want to check my Surveys and Tests files from time to time as I try to keep them updated with new materials that I become aware of.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002

Dr James.....

I am a current student at Loughborough University, England and i am presently researching my dissertation for my final year. I am basing my research around the theory that one reason women supposedly make worse drivers than men is because of there lack of spatial abilty/awarness. I have been to you website and noticed that a your work is based around the psychology of driving, i also found studies posted by students with several useful links.

However, any information you could provide me with concerning this area would be most helpful

Yours sincerely

Mike

Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
Subject: help, please

Hi, my name is Nell and am doing a third year Social Policy university dissertation on road rage.(I an studying at the university of Essex in England) I need desperately to find info on when road rage, as a phenomenon began, as the project is taking a post modern theoretical stance. if you could email me some web sites it would be very helpful.

Thanks. (I aim to argue; if we can argue that we now live in post modern society is road rage a post modern crime? similar to other recent crimes seen eg; mobile phone theft, internet crimes etc)

Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
Subject: http://DrDriving.org/articles/musings.htm

I appreciate your insight.

Thank you.
Rob

Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: help, please

Mr. Wells,

I discuss the origins of road rage in our book--have you seen it? It would make a good reference for your dissertation.

Regarding your thesis: I'm considered one of the earliest experts on road rage. Our book argues that road rage is a cultural phenomenon transmitted from generation to generation and that it s present WHEREVER THERE ARE PUBLIC ROADS IN USE. Thus, the Romans has a "furious driving" problem when drunk drivers ran their chariots into people and acted as savage menaces.

Similarly, when cars arrived on the scene, there was a new arena for the expression of this "territorial" and evolutionary phenomenon. For instance, our three cats show territorial and dominance behaviors that mimic road rage and aggressive driving, as well as pedestrian rage, parking rage, air rage, boat rage, etc.--these being covered on our DrDriving site.

Sorry if this view doesn't agree with your post-modern thesis. Of course, you can say that road rage as a media phenomenon, including Court TV and other court coverage in the press, has created a new "post-modern" issue that is more culturally "advanced" (or corrupted) form of the old road rage. This is understandable.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
Subject: videos available?

I'm organizing a course on defensive driving for an association in Portugal where the road death rate is the highest in Western Europe. I'm basing many of the ideas and activities on your work (Road Rage and Defensive Driving, and information in the net site.)

But I need access to videos which could be used in the course --preferably on the matter of speed/stopping distances and related questions. I am a volunteer and the association for which I'm planning the course has a very small budget ...so my question is, are there free videos available somewhere? We may have to pay to have them converted to a European system.

I'd appreciate any help you can give. Thanks in advance.

Mary
APSI and ACA-M ( NGO safety organizations in Portugal)

Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002
Subject: Audio Tapes

Dr. Nahl,

I am looking for a non-profit group(s) concerned about Road Rage. I have produced an excellent audio cassette tape called Calm Commute which was created to be played in the tape deck while commuting.; Calm Commute to Work (22 minutes on A:), and Calm Commute Home (22 min. on B: side.) It contains 170 affirmations intended to balance the mind, heart, body and soul.

I wish to donate a number of these tapes to an active organization which would like to disseminate these self-help tapes.

I will be glad to describe the tape in more detail and/or send a demo upon request. Do you know of such a non-profit group?

Thank You,
Cathrine

Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002
Subject: Greetings!

With all of the reports, stats, etc. on aggressive driving and road rage...why has no one ever questioned the ethics of auto manufacturers who show bad and aggressive driving...

Goodyear Tire currently shows a commercial with a car load of (mature?) adults swerving to miss furniture on the highway. The driver does not signal (or even look) for lane changes, or even attempt to slow down!

Kia has one that shows two women competing for the only available space in a full parking lot. One of the women bashes through a water pool and bashing shopping carts!

Chevrolet S-10 has one that shows a (female) driver who swerves to avoid bicyclists, deer, a rock-slide, and then crosses the road fast enough to raise a tire off of the ground!

Pontiac has one, "Wider is Better" that shows a Grand Prix flying through an icy half-pipe!

What is wrong with these people? Is it just me? They should be ashamed and held accountable. Why is this not an issue? I have E-mailed Kia and Goodyear. I am still awaiting a response from both. Perhaps they are embarrassed. How can we make this a justified crusade to get them all to clean up their act and start promoting safe, compassionate, responsible driving habits!

Thank you in advance for your time. Your response is invited!

Thomas

Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: Greetings!

Good idea Thomas! I wonder if you're aware of my students' efforts in creating a DBB Rating (drivers behaving badly) for movies and TV shows.

Their research details the show and the scene--take a look at their reports here:

http://DrDriving.org/youth

We discuss this issue in our book. I will post your message on our site. If you go further with this and wish to make public announcements, I will post those as well. I recommend a determined program such as MADD. In our book we recommend that driver ed start in Kindergarten since that's when we learn to be aggressive from the adults that drive us and from TV (shows and commercials).

I hope you have a chance to look at our book

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
Subject: Greetings!

Since the last time I e-mailed you a lot has happened! An associate and I have begun a serious local campaign against road-ragers and overly-aggressive drivers. We are calling our grassroots, volunteer effort "The Traffic Surveillance Team". The attachment to this e-mail is our flyer. If for some reason it gets 'lost', please let me know and I will mail you a hard copy.

We are going to register ourselves as a Colorado small business next week. We spoke with the Garfield / Pitkin County District Attorney on January 9th, 2002. He gave us a "thumbs-up", and offered us some excellent insight and suggestions. He told us that with video and our time, he would prosecute offending drivers. Of course, we obviously must remain within the law while observing the driver. We have since personally introduced ourselves to Chiefs of Police in Glenwood Springs and Basalt, Colorado. Next week, we hope to meet with our local Colorado State Patrol Captain and Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin County Sheriffs.

We have no idea what is going to fund this, other than our desire to make a difference. We are hoping to do it right, to gain public interest and support, and be recognized with respect by law enforcement. We have been advised to advertise heavily towards fleet surveillance and insurance providers for financial support. Note* a private investigators license is not required in Colorado.

If I haven't rambled on too long...we are excited. If you would like me to keep you posted, let me know. If there's anything you know that I should know...please advise!

Thomas
The Traffic Surveillance Team

Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002
Subject: SPEED CAMERAS

Couldn't resist commenting on all the outrage and whining about the recently installed speeding and red-light-running cameras in Honolulu. Aside from other issues, it seems most people are heart-attack-inducingly upset about not being able to speed and run yellow/red lights as they wish, without risking a fine! Their god-given right to do whatever they want is being violated! Sigh. Perhaps every person issued a ticket should be given a copy of your RR book. Aloha,

Ellen

Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002
Subject: wonderful work!!!

Aloha! I just have to say that though I only had about 20 minutes to spend reading at this site, the information I found there is incredible. I can't wait to get back home and dive back into it. I'm on my way to begin a day that includes 3 behind-the-wheel driving lessons and will take more with me while teaching than what I knew before I read your material. I too have a love of this subject and enthusiastically applaud the work you're doing. Amazing! Lorelei

Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002
Subject: please read!

Hi, I have a quick question for you. I live in the United States, but I was just wondering why after I received my license on November 14, I can only have on other person in the car riding with me for 9 months. ( It's our new law.) Why do I have to wait 9 months? Thank you for your time.

Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: please read! (fwd)

Julie.....

My friend Dr. Driving forwarded your question to me. Are you referring to the teen GRADUATED DRIVERS LICENSE and if so, in what state? If it is, you cannot drive any FRIENDS under 20 unless you have someone over 25 in the car during the first 6 months.

Mr. Traffic

Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002
Subject: your article today

Hi Nelson,

I found your article today ("State shrugs off ticket math" enlightening. One additional thing jumps to mind that you do not point out explicitly, but might want to in a future article. It's this:

The fine for being caught by the camera in running a red light you said is $77. This is the same amount as the fine caught for going 10 mph over the speed limit.

Both common sense and the science of psychology would point out that this arrangement is not conducive to public acceptance of the camera system.

Everyone knows and believes that running a red light is far more serious than going 10 mph over speed limit, especially when the traffic travels at that rate. For the public to believe in and cooperate in the new camera system of traffic control, there must be a perception of common sense and logic, not flounting these.

One additional point: It goes against common sense and logic when transportation officials take a position that speeding is speeding. For instance, they use the word speeding whether they're talking about 1 mph over or 15 mph over. This does not sound believable to the public.

Everyone knows that the faster you go the more risky it is. Therefore they should use an expression like "going over the speed limit" when discussing what is very common: between 1 and 15 mph. And then they can use the expression speeding for rates over 15 mph. Law enforcement uses the language "at a high rate of speed" when they are dealing with rates over 80 mph.

We discuss the psychology of speeding in our book. Are you aware of the NMA (National Motor Association) and their position on speed limits?

Aloha,
Dr. Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002
Subject: fines for driving violations

I never get a straight answer when I e-mail representatives, state and/or local on the subject of fines.

My question relates to the in-equity that exists between the amount of the fines and the damage caused by having an accident when in violation. for example in many cities the fine to roll through a stop sign is the same as flying through an obvious red light at a major intersection.

usually each fine is 100 dollars. however the obvious damage to fly through a red light can be as much as the death of another or both drivers and major property damage, law suits ect.... My perspective is if we truly want to curb bad driving habits we need to hit people where it hurts the most, in their wallet. It makes sense to me that a large portion of the bad driving habits of Americans relates to how much can it really hurt if I do violate. If the fine for running a light were, say, 1000 dollars and it was enforced, I would be willing to bet the incidence of this violation would decline rapidly.

what are your thoughts as to why this has not been done...

John Chase

Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: fines for driving violations

I think we need a grass roots effort like a committee of the people who would prepare a report and deliver it to the legislators and the press.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002
Subject: Emergency Vehicles

Doctor,

My name is Mathew, an EMT for the State of Indiana. I am currently doing research that involves EMS vehicles and accidents. My intent with this information is to present a class to all area EMS, Fire, and Police agencies the importance of driving safely. I am sending this e-mail to request permission to use some of the material in your home page as a basis for this class. I am also looking for any footage of EMS related accidents that may have been caught on tape, with permission to use, to construct an informative video, with all rights reserved. I am working on this solely, and am doing it in my spare time, as I am a full time EMT for our county, as well as work full time at another job.

Any help or suggestions that you may offer, as well as material would be greatly appreciated. My goal in this class is to make all ems personnel aware of the potential hazards of driving. Our service alone has been involved in three accidents in the past few years. I hope to reduce that number to zero in this awareness class.

In advance, I wish to thank you for your assistance, and your web-site is greatly commendable and well placed.

Mathew
EMT-B

Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002
Subject: Web Site

Dear Professor James:

My name is Diane, owner of Media Mentors, a Resource Catalogue. I just came across your site, and thought that its information might be helpful to mention in the catalogue. The title of this edition is THE NINE COMMON TRAITS OF HIGHLY CONSCIOUS SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND PEOPLE. One of the points that I write about is that of suggesting alternatives to college, for students and adults desiring long distance learning. I would like to list your site, and was also wondering if you had any resources or books that you thought were worth mentioning. My readers are schools, parents, educational institutions, authors, some business/organizations, and certain political officials.

Thank you for your response,

Diane
Media Mentors

Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: Emergency Vehicles

Thanks for writing, Mathew. You can use our materials if you give adequate credit to our site and if it's not used as a commercial product.

I also want to suggest our RoadRageous video segments described here:

http://DrDriving.org/courses

as well as 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)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: road rage

Thank you for your letter, Cassy. It's sad to hear the story of someone else once again losing life due to the road rage menace (and indulgence). I've heard of others who share your sentiments but I'm not personally familiar with the efforts of establishing an organization. I recommend you do some Web research and judge for yourself. You can go to google.com and type in road rage and aggressive driving. Besides my own sites you'll find others and see if any of them are compatible with your sentiments. I'd be happy to help you publicize whatever you decide on by putting announcements and information on DrDriving.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002
Subject: Instruction

Hello My name is Brandon. I am the fleet manager for the Potter's House of Dallas Inc. I currently manage about twenty five vehicles, and would be interested in becoming a licensed driving and driving safety instructor. If you have any Information about how I may achieve this please forward that information to me. I would greatly appreciate any assistance.

Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002
Subject: Road Rage Article Interview

Hello Drs. Leon and Diane:

I'm working on completing an article on road rage for the Canadian Automobile Association's magazine and wonder if either of you might be available for an interview in the next day or two. I'm in the Pacific time zone.

Regards,
Lawrence

Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002
Subject: I Promise Program - to reduce the risk of teen car crashes,

now fully available

Re: www.ipromiseprogram.com

Effective Monday, January 21st the I Promise Program is officially available across North America.

We look forward to delivering to parents a program to help reduce the risk of car crashes for their new teen drivers. As you likely know, this program had been in development for two years and is the culmination of research into the matter of teen driving, parental concerns and traffic safety and utilizes the input of now thousands of people worldwide.

To help kick off the program, we would appreciate if you would direct at least 3 parents of new teen drivers you know personally to the website: www.ipromiseprogram.com

Please forward this email to them and hopefully they will pass it along to their friends too.

As the parent of a teen driver, I can only tell you that I certainly want my son to return home safety each time he takes the car and believe that this is first and foremost on every other parent's mind. Until now there was little a parent could do. The I Promise Program now provides a tool to help.

Below are links to three articles: The first article describes the launch plans and media opportunity, the second describes the successful plan of an insurance company to provide a discount for participants and the third describes a health organization in Lancaster SC that is kicking off the launch by distributing 100 free registrations in their community.

http://www.newswire.ca/releases/January2002/18/c3684.html

http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/article.asp?id=6751

http://www.heraldonline.com/local/story/1026687p-1075245c.html

If you have a website, please include a link to the program. If you have a newsletter, please inform your readers.

The support shown by numerous organizations has been humbling and gratifying. I wish to thank you personally, for having continued to receive these email updates.

We look forward to making streets across North America a little safer now.

Kindest regards,

Gary

Gary Direnfeld, Executive Director

Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002
Subject: Help!

Dear Dr. Driving,

Hello, my name is Quinn and I am a junior at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia. This semester I am doing an independent study in order to obtain a bachelor of science degree in psychology. I have chosen to do my study on the effect of distractions on driver aggression and road rage because this topic interests me greatly. I have had a difficult time obtaining good information on this topic, but your website has been the most helpful source of information so far. However, my research supervisor has encouraged me to use resources that have been published in scientific journals such as the Journal of Social Psychology, Journal of Experimental Psychology, etc. Is there any way you can E-mail me this type of information on distractions that lead to driver aggression? I am fairly inexperienced in the research field and I do not understand why I cannot use what is published on your website as one of my resources. I guess I have to prove to my research supervisor that my resources are official. If you can help me out in any way I would greatly appreciate it. I am working on a tight schedule (only one semester to do my project) so any information you can send me soon would be wonderful. I am willing to send you the results of my study upon completion in April.

Thanks again,

Quinn

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