Chapter 14
Emotions & Driving How can emotions affect the way you drive? Make you focus on one thing - miss other things Can make you accept more risk What is the most often occurring emotion while driving? Anger - may result in "road rage"
What other emotions occur while driving? Anxiety/excitement How can peer pressure affect your driving? Drive differently than normal - faster, more risky behavior
Controlling Emotions How can you control your emotions or keep them under control? Anticipate an emotion-producing situation - eg. Don't drive during rush hour Yield to an aggressive driver - don't torment them Adjust your route according to where high traffic zones may be
Physical Effects of Driving What are some physiological effects (changes in bodily functions) that can occur when emotions get involved? Heartbeat increases/breathing quickens/digestion slows/muscle tighten
What is visual acuity? Ability to see things clearly (20/20) What is the most common form of color blindness ? Red/green
What is the order of traffic lights - color-wise, top to bottom What is the order of traffic lights - color-wise, top to bottom? Left to right? Red/orange/green How can I deal with my color blindness in respect to traffic signs? Learn their shapes
What is "field of vision"? The area you see straight ahead (180°) What is "central vision"? 10° that is clear straight ahead
What is "peripheral vision"? What you see sideways - around central vision What is "tunnel vision"? 140° or less - narrow field of vision - must compensate with quick head & eye movements
What is "depth perception"? Helps you judge the distance between your vehicle and other vehicles/objects At night your depth perception is compromised. What should you do to help with this problem? Allow greater distances between vehicles
What is "night blindness"? Not being able to see at night What is "glare resistance"? The ability to continue to see when looking at bright lights
What is "glare recovery time"? The time your eyes need to regain clear vision after being affected by glare (can be 5-10 seconds) What should you do until your eyes readjust? Reduce your speed
How can your other senses help while driving? Hearing - sirens, horns, engine noises Smell - overheated engine/brakes
What are some temporary disabilities that may affect your driving? Fatigue - accounts for 100,000 collisions a year What should you do if you are tired while driving? Change drivers/stop every 2 hours/radio/sing/talk/take a nap
How can medicine affect your driving? Drowsy/anxious Carbon monoxide is present in all engine exhaust. What can you do so you won't succumb to the effect of CO? Garage door opened before starting engine/don't run engine in garage/don't stop too close to the car in front of you/have your exhaust checked - look for hole in pipe/don't drive with back windows open - acts like a vacuum
How does smoking affect driving? Smoking increases CO levels in your body/smoke residue accumulates on windows & affects vision Aging drivers may have slower reflexes/reduced depth perception/less ability to concentrate Drivers over 65 are still involved in fewer collisions per mile than than those under 30
A chronic illness is one that someone lives with for a long time