| |
| Safety
Tips - Safe Driving |
| |
| Basic things
that you can do to reduce your chances of ever becoming involved
in an aggressive driving or "road rage" incident:
|
- First of all, observe common courtesy and consciously
try to avoid actions which can provoke other drivers.
- Secondly, take measures to reduce your own stress so that
you are less likely to feel aggressive yourself.
- You can also try to adjust your attitude about why other
drivers are behaving the way they are.
- Finally, keep your emotions in check and think about
the consequences of your behavior before you react.
|
| |
| BE
AWARE OF ACTIONS WHICH CAN PROVOKE AGGRESSION |
| |
| Motorists are advised
to be patient and courteous to other drivers. You should correct
any unsafe driving habits that may endanger, annoy or provoke
other drivers. Be aware of the actions that have resulted in
violence in the past. Many of these actions are simply eliminated
by practicing common courtesy. Others are behaviors which are,
or may be considered, offensive. |
| |
| Avoid behaviors
which are likely to provoke aggression: |
- Gestures -- Obscene or offensive gestures irritate other
drivers. Be aware that any gesture may be misinterpreted
by another driver.
- Car phones -- Don't let your phone become a distraction.
Car phone users are perceived as being poor drivers and
presenting a traffic hazard. Data shows that aggressive
drivers are particularly irritated by fender-benders with
motorists who were talking on the phone. Remember using
a hand-held mobile telephone while driving is illegal in
the Philippines.
- Displays -- Refrain from displaying a bumper sticker,
slogan or vanity license plate that may be considered offensive.
- Eye contact -- If a motorist tries to pick a fight, do
not make eye contact. Get out of the way without acknowledging
the other motorist. If the driver follows you, do not go
home. Go to a police station or location where you can get
help and there will be witnesses.
- Aggressive tailgating -- Riding the bumper of the vehicle
in front of you is both annoying and unsafe.
- Aggressive horn use -- Leaning on the horn to express
anger is aggravating.
- Aggressive headlight use -- Flashing headlights to denote
irritation is rude and unsafe.
|
| |
| Use common
courtesy: |
- Lane blocking - Don't block the passing lane on multiple
lane highways. Allow vehicles to pass by.
- Tailgating - Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle in front of you.
- Signal use - Don't change lanes without using your signal,
and make sure you can change lanes without cutting another
driver off. After changing lanes or turning, turn your signal
off.
- Horn use - Use your horn sparingly. Noise is shown to
be a contributor to stress.
- Failure to turn - In many areas, including New York State,
right turns are allowed after a complete stop for a red
light unless an intersection is marked otherwise. Avoid
the right lane if you are not turning right.
- Parking:
- Don't take up more than one parking space
- Don't park in a space reserved for people with disabilities
unless you are disabled
- Don't open your door into the car next to you
- When parallel parking, do not tap the vehicles in
front or at the back of yours
- Always look carefully before backing out of a parking
space
- Headlight use - Keep headlights on low beam, except where
lighting conditions are poor. Dim your high beams for oncoming
traffic, when approaching a vehicle from the rear or when
another vehicle is passing you.
- Merging - When traffic permits, move out of the right
hand acceleration lane of a freeway to allow vehicles easier
access from on-ramps.
- Blocking traffic - If you are driving a cumbersome or
slow moving vehicle, pull over when possible to allow traffic
to pass you. Do not block the road to stop and have a conversation
with another driver or a pedestrian.
- Alarms - Be sure you know how to turn off the anti-theft
alarm on any vehicle you are driving. If you are purchasing
an alarm, buy one that turns off automatically after a short
time.
|
| |
| REDUCE
YOUR STRESS |
| |
| Learn to spot the
warning signs of stress, and try to avoid situations which are
likely to cause stress, distraction and fatigue. |
| |
| In general: |
- Keep your vehicle in good working order to avoid the stress
of a breakdown.
- If your destination is in an unfamiliar area, plan your
route and have a map available.
- Have windshield cleaning materials and sunglasses available.
|
| |
| If you are
making a long trip: |
- Plan your route and have a map in your vehicle.
- Take breaks to stretch and walk around.
- Eat light snacks as opposed to heavy meals.
- Avoid eating in noisy, crowded places since they can
promote stress.
|
| |
| Road congestion
is a major contributing factor to traffic disputes: |
- Consider altering your schedule.
Allow plenty of time to get to where you are going. Can
you change your schedule or route to avoid the worst congestion?
And does it really matter if you are a little late?
- Improve the comfort of your vehicle.
Listen to music that reduces your anxiety, or try listening
to books on tape, but avoid anger-inducing talk radio. Use
your air conditioner. Make your seat more comfortable by
adjusting your seating position or using a pillow.
- Concentrate on being relaxed.
Take a deep breath. Don't clench your teeth or grip the
steering wheel too tightly. Try doing limited stretching
exercises.
- Don't drive when you are upset, angry or overtired.
Take a break to calm down, "cool off" or rest
before you get behind the wheel.
|
| |
| ADJUST
YOUR ATTITUDE |
- Give the other driver the benefit of the doubt.
- We all make mistakes. Do not assume that all unsafe driving
actions are intentional or personal.
- Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver isn't.
|
| |
| KEEP
YOUR COOL... THINK BEFORE YOU REACT |
- Self-control is crucial in managing stress and aggression.
It is important for individuals to have a set of responses
to cope with frustration. The most important advice is to
remain patient in traffic congestion. You can gain a sense
of control by realizing that people behave differently in
different situations and that environmental factors may
effect others to a greater or lesser degree than they effect
you. Information about why a driver may be acting in a certain
way will make their behavior more predictable to you, and
you will be able to take action to avoid a confrontation,
if necessary.
- Drivers must pay more attention to their own levels of
emotion.
Evidence suggests that drivers who allow their emotions
to spiral out of control while driving are a much greater
risk to themselves than to those around them. It is important
not to try to alleviate aggressive emotion with an outburst.
Research shows that this does not help to overcome the situation,
and the risk of retaliation increases.
Several psychologists suggest a "cooling off"
period such as going for a walk or using relaxation techniques.
Although many people, particularly men, go for a drive to
"cool off", it is not recommended. Any activity
that is an attempt to "cool off" must be distracting
enough to interfere with the train of anger-inducing thought.
- Avoid all conflict if possible.
If you are challenged, take a deep breath and get out of
the way, even if you are in the right.
- Finally, before reacting, think about the possible consequences
of your actions.
Aggressive behavior behind the wheel could result in serious
injury or even death to yourself or someone else. Don't
let an impulsive action ruin the rest of your life.
|
| |
