EMOTIONS AND DRIVING

WHAT IS EMOTION? The word emotion is used to name a strong

feeling. Anger, fear, and joy are examples of emotions. Emotions add special flavor to life.

HOW EMOTIONS AFFECT DRIVING Emotions influence the way you think and

act. When emotions affect your thoughts and

actions, they can change the way you normally assess risk and make driving decisions.

Emotions can be infectious, they can affect others in your vehicle and vehicles around you.

MENTAL EFFECTS OF EMOTION Strong emotions can interfere with your

ability to think, reason, and make wise decisions.

Emotions can increase your chances of making a mistake.

Emotions can affect the way you make judgments while driving.

In some situations, a strong emotion can cause you to focus your attention on one event. Leading you to miss other important events in a driving scene.

IN THE PICTURE, THE DRIVER IN FRONT HAS JUST CUT TO THE RIGHT LANE AND STARTED TO SLOW. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THIS DRIVER CUT INTO YOUR LANE?

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF EMOTIONS Strong emotions also can cause changes in

your bodily functions. Your body prepares itself for the stressful

event: Heartbeat increases Breathing quickens Digestions slows Muscles tighten Prolonged stressful driving situations can

contribute to adverse effects on the body such as heart disease and digestive disorders.

ROAD RAGE Road rage is aggressive or angry behavior by

a driver of an automobile or other motor vehicle. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats. Road rage can lead to altercations, assaults, and collisions which result in injuries and even deaths. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving.

W Second teen charged in Sunset road rage fatal FARMINGTON, Utah -- The passenger of a car that was involved in a road-rage accident that resulted in the death of a volunteer firefighter has been charged with two misdemeanors.

The 16-year-old from Clinton, who name was withheld, is charged with negligent homicide and reckless endangerment for allegedly pulling on the car's emergency brake.

Police say that led to the August accident on Sunset's Main Street, where the car crashed into firefighter David Scott Parsell's motorcycle, killing the 22-year-old.

The teen faces a one-day trial January 19.

The car's 16-year-old driver earlier pleaded guilty to homicide by assault. He has served his time in detention, had his driver's license suspended and is on probation until he is at least 18.

The teens told police that a minivan stopped suddenly in front of them, forcing them to swerve and collide head-on with Parsell's motorcycle.

Benjamin Guy Lansford, 28, of Roy, also is charged with negligent homicide and reckless endangerment in the accident. Police say he was the van driver.

WHAT CAUSES ROAD RAGE In some cases it appears that incidents of

road rage are caused by simple misunderstandings between drivers. A driver may make a momentary error of judgment but the perception of another is that he is driving aggressively.

HOW TO AVOID SUCCUMBING TO ROAD RAGE Be aware of the precursors. Follow our general

recommendations for avoiding stress and fatigue (see below). In particular, try to disassociate yourself from problems that have no bearing on the journey.

Never assume that an apparently aggressive act was intended as such. We all make mistakes. So don't bite back. If we take an example from studies of animal behavior in the wild, the dominant animal in a group will rarely get involved in petty fights and disagreements. Although confident in his ability to defeat any opponent, there is always the risk of injury.

Finally, draw reassurance from the fact that if you feel that someone is driving like an idiot, everyone else does also.

HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM If you're being hassled by another driver, try not to react. Avoid

making eye contact, as this is often seen as confrontational. Don't be tempted to accelerate, brake, or swerve suddenly; again, this may be seen as confrontational and increases your chances of losing control of your vehicle.

If a driver continues to hassle you or you think you are being followed, drive on to the nearest police station or busy place to get help.

In town, lock the car doors and keep the windows and sunroof only partly open.

When stopped in traffic, leave enough space to pull out from behind the car you are following.

If someone tries to get into your car, attract attention by sounding your horn or a personal alarm.

Do not be tempted to start a fight and do not be tempted to carry any sort of weapon. It may only provoke a potential assailant and could end up in his or her hands.

OTHER EMOTIONS WHILE DRIVING Sorrow, depression, and anxiety are among

other emotions that can adversely affect driving.

These emotions can effect adversely affect driving.

These emotions can also slow body processes and reduce mental alertness.

COPING WITH EMOTIONS WHILE DRIVING Use the IPDE process to drive in an organized

manner Anticipate emotion-producing situations, and

adjust your expectations. If you encounter an aggressive driver, do not

challenge the driver, avoid eye contact, ignore gestures and remain calm.

Learn how to manage your emotions and avoid driving if you’re overcome with negative emotions.