1. Chapter 3
Knowing yourself

2. How do emotions affect your driving?
Inattention
Lack of Concentration
Ability to process information

3. How can you control emotions?
Maintain a responsible attitude
Avoid triggering aggressive driving
Identify troublesome situations
Plan ahead
Expect mistakes from others
Don’t drive upset or depressed
Don’t give in to negative peer pressure
Train yourself to use correct procedures

4. Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property. Persons doing any of the following may be committing acts of aggressive driving and pose risk of a crash:
Speeding
Running red lights and stop signs
Tailgating
Passing on the shoulder of the road
Cutting off another vehicle
Slamming on brakes in front of a tailgater
Improper hand or facial gestures at other drivers
Yelling
Repeatedly honking the horn
Repeatedly flashing the headlights

5. Aggressive Drivers
Avoid aggressive drivers and potentially dangerous situations. If you encounter an angry or aggressive motorist:
Do not retaliate or in any way engage the other driver. Get out of the way.
Do not make eye contact.
Keep your doors locked and your windows up.
Keep enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you to pull out from behind.
Do not underestimate a driver's potential for aggression.

6. How Vision Affects Your Ability to Drive
Field of vision:
Area of central vision
Peripheral vision
Vertical field of vision

7. Poor Depth Perception

8. Contrast Sensitivity

9. Color Blindness

10. Nigh Blindness

11. Temporary Physical Conditions That Affect Your Ability to Drive
Fatigue:
Brought on by many different factors such as lack of sleep, boredom, illness, stress, overeating, drinking alcoholic.
People are less alert in the late afternoon
Short-Term/Injuries:
Cold, flu, allergies, broken bones or pinched nerves
Be careful when taking medication and driving. Always read the label!

12. Long-Term Physical Factors That Affect Driving Ability
Hearing Loss
Physical Disabilities
Aging – Slower drivers
Chronic Illnesses
Epilepsy, arthritis, diabetes, and asthma

13. Distracted and Drowsy Driving
One of the greatest hazards of roadway driving is drowsiness or distraction. Lack of sleep, fatigue or inattentiveness affects your ability to safely drive your vehicle. When taking a long trip, avoid drowsiness by stopping frequently to drink coffee, exercise or nap. Exercise your eyes by reading road signs or shifting the focus of your eyes to different parts of the roadway. Make sure you are properly rested.
Illinois law prohibits sending or reading electronic communications (text messages) while driving and also prohibits the use of wireless/cell phones in construction/road maintenance zones and school zones.

14. Phones
Local municipalities may govern whether wireless/cell phone use is permitted, regardless of the location or the driver's age. If you do use a wireless/cell phone, take the following precautions:
Always assess traffic conditions before calling.
Be familiar with the phone's keypad — use speed dial if possible.
Place calls when stopped, or have a passenger dial.
Make sure the phone is within easy reach.
Use a speaker phone/hands-free device.
Avoid intense, emotional or complicated conversations.
Avoid talking on the phone in congested traffic or bad weather.
Pull off the road to dial or complete a conversation.

15. Illinois drivers are prohibited from text messaging while driving except if you are:
Reporting an emergency situation.
Using the device hands-free or in voice-activated mode.
Parked on the shoulder of a roadway.
Stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park.
Avoid Aggressive Driving