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This test serves as a demo illustrating how self-tests can operate to assess your driving personality. I hope you enjoy looking at it as a prototype. Let us know if you have suggestions for new items or modules! The items for this version are based on the full classified inventory of the nine zones of driving skills which can be found here. Some of the knowledge items came from the driving facts page. Module 1 in this series is about the dangers of waving another car on when you have the right of way, and can be seen here. The purpose of these modules is to help drivers reflect on driving situations as a social and collective event that is made up of several people's needs, thoughts, and actions:
What I need, think, and do affects the other drivers. What they need, think, and do affects me.This interdependence must be recognized, perceived, understood, and consciously managed by each driver participant. Driving Psychology is the K-12 and Lifelong discipline that helps you acquire these skills. |
1. I feel that I'm expected to drive very fast on the highways, so I do.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
2. Sometimes I feel that I'm "holding up" traffic and speed up as a result.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
3. When I speed up in response to pressure by other drivers, I'm being unsafe and am contributing to accidents.
a. I agree; b. I don't agree; c. Not sure
4..When I'm on the road, I'm automatically in a rush, trying to get there in the shortest time possible.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
5. I feel hostile towards people in hallways or narrow passageways who stop to talk, blocking the way and inconveniencing other pedestrians.
a. I feel this way too; b. I do not feel this way; c. Can't tell
6. When people in a stairway stand in the way, chatting, I tighten my shoulder and bowl my way through with a disapproving look on my face.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
7. I'm ordinarily not an aggressive or violent person, but when people block my way from sheer stupidity, I blow my stack, and rightly so.
a. I agree b. I do not agree; c. Not sure
Part (a): Safety Facts
8. How many serious accidents occur every year in the U.S.?
a. 10,000; b. 20,000; c. 30,000; d. 40,000; e. more than 40,000
9. How many serious accidents occur every year in the U.S.?
a. 10,000; b. 50,000; c. 100,000; d. 1 million; e. 5 million
10. What is the total annual economic and medical cost of car accidents in the U.S.?
a. 1 billion; b. 10 billion; c. 50 billion; d. 100 billion; e. 150 billion
11. An average of 111 persons die each day in motor vehicle crashes in 1994 - one every 13 minutes.
a. I think this is an exaggeration; b. I think this is correct
12. Approximately how many lives were saved by safety belts since their mandatory introduction in 1982?
a. 1,000; b. 10,000; c. 70,000; d. 150,000; e. 1,000,000
13. In what percent of fatal crashes did the occupants fail to wear seat belts?
a. 10%; b. 25%; c. 50%; d. 75%; e. 100%
14. What percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities involve heavy trucks?
a. 10%; b. 25%; c. 50%; d. 75%; e. 100%
15. About how many drivers of passenger cars and light trucks involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated?
a. 1%; b. 10%; c. 20%; d. 30%; e. 40%; f. 50%
16. About how many drivers of medium and heavy trucks involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated?
a. 1%; b. 10%; c. 20%; d. 30%; e. 40%; f. 50%
17. Which age group of drivers have the highest rate of involvement in fatal crashes ?
a. 15-25; b. 26-35; c. 36-45; d. 46-55; e. 56-65; f. over 66
18. How do male and female drivers comapre in fatal crash involvement?
a. they're about the same; b. males drivers have 3 times more fatal crashes than females; c. female drivers have 3 times more fatal crashes than males
19. About what percent of the budget of the U.S. Department of Transportation is allocated for highway safety?
a. 1%; b. 5%; c. 10%; d. 15%; e. 20%; f. 25%; g. more than 25%
20. How many miles of interstate highways are there in the U.S.?
a. 10,000; b 20,000; c. 30,000; d. 40,000; e. 50,000
21. How many miles of state highways are there in the U.S.?
a. 10,000; b. 50,000; c. 100,000; d. 300,000; e. 500,000
22. What is the total annual economic and medical cost of speed-related crashes in the U.S.?
a. 2 billion; b. 5 billion; c. 10 billion; d. 20 billion; e. 25 billion
23. What percent of the economic cost of motor vehicle injuries is paid by tax dollars?
a. none; b. 15%; c. 25%; d. 35%; e. 50%; f. more than 50%
24. A study by the National Academy of Sciences, "55: A Decade of Experience" concluded that the federal maximum speed limit law of 55, saved between:
a. 1,000; b. 5,000; c. 10,000; d. 20,000; e. 30,000; f. 50,000
25. I noticed I am more stressed out on some roads than on others.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
26. I become more hostile when I drive through certain sections.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
27. I swear a lot more at certain times in traffic, depending on what other drivers do.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
28. Sometimes I have "evil thoughts" about other drivers.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
29. When I don't have a working air conditioner in the car, the heat is so disturbing that I feel stressed and out of control.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
30. When I drive with anger I'm filled with hateful thoughts which make me grip the steering wheel as I floor the gas pedal.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
31. Getting control of my thoughts will enable me to control my actions when I'm driving. This is why driving manuals recommend not driving when one is in an emotional state.
a. I agree; b. I don't agree; c. Don't know
32. It's not good to rush while driving because it increases your chances of an accident.
a. I agree; b. I don't agree; c. Don't know
33. I often take on a cartoon-like personality, feeling invincible and fantasizing about using machine guns and blowing up cars and pedestrians who get in my way.
a. It's good to let your anger out; b. It's better avoid such thoughts
34. Rambo drivers make their own rules on the highway.
a. I'm proud of being one; b. I'm not one; c. I sometimes am one, but I'm not proud of it.
35. I have to come to realize that the roads belong to everyone, and I am not the only one there.
a. I agree with this reasoning; b. I don't agree with it; c. I can't say
36. One of the most important things drivers need to do is to control their anger and to be more aware of their actions on the road.
a. I agree; b. I do not agree; c. I'm not sure
37. I should stop being so competitive and realize that my hostility may have a negative effect on other drivers, and could thus negatively influence their driving.
a. I agree; b. I do not agree; c. I'm not sure
38. To be in control of one's actions (control of the car), one must control one's thoughts first. I tell myself to calm down and take things one at a time. When I do this, I feel my foot easing up on the gas pedal as I gently grip the wheel.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
39. There are violent feelings inside all of us and they inevitably come out under stressful situations.
a. I agree; b. I do not agree; c. I can't tell.
40. One witness said: "I get nervous when I'm in the middle of a pack. Maybe it's a kind of "claustrophobia" in traffic. I'm afraid that someone will hit me, or I would do something to "screw" someone else up."
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
41. I don't enjoy driving anymore because of the hostility and aggressiveness of other drivers.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
42. I always attempt to be the leader of a pack or I try to stay away from other cars.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
43. Sometimes, when I get really upset in traffic, I get dangerous and reckless.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know
44. My driving performance is influenced by my emotional state. For example, if I'm upset at someone after a big argument and I drive off, then I tend to stomp on the gas pedal.
a. Applies to me; b. Does not apply to me; c. Don't know