THE EFFECTS OF FATIGUE AND EMOTIONS ON DRIVING

DO NOW…Read the article “NJ law for aggressive driving education is inspired by teen paralyzed in road rage crash)

Answer the following questions: What happened to Jessica Rogers? What is Jessica’s Law and what are the consequences under this law?

What is the maximum penalty for aggressive driving when there are no serious injuries?

EMOTIONS THAT AFFECT DRIVINGAngerAnxiety Joy, HappinessFearHateGrief Love

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

GENERAL EFFECTS OF EMOTIONS Interfere with your ability to thinkCreate mental distractionsCreate inattentivenessCan cause you to act out your emotions Increase risk takingCreate a lack of concentration Interrupts ability to process information

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF EMOTIONS:Heartbeat IncreasesBreathing quickensDigestion slowsPalms sweatFeeling of exhaustionPhysical stress

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

CONTROLLING EMOTIONSUnderstand one’s emotional makeup Identify situations that cause emotional stressExpect other drivers to make mistakesUnderstand that emotions are contagiousDirect emotions toward actions, not individualsDelay driving when upset If upset, ask someone else to drive.

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

AGGRESSIVE DRIVINGWhen a driver operates a vehicle in a pushy or bold manner without regard for others’ safety. Exceeding the speed limit Following to closely Failing to obey traffic controls Making improper turns or maneuvers Failing to yield the right of way Making improper or erratic lane changes

Types of Aggressions Verbal – yelling, cursing, gesturing, honking, insulting Quiet Aggression – complaining, competing, resisting by not letting others in ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

ROAD RAGE When a driver uses the vehicle or some other weapon to threaten or cause harm to another roadway user in response to a traffic incident with the intent to harm others. Road rage is an escalation of emotions generally ignited by aggressive driving behaviors.

Throwing objects at a vehicle Yelling at a specific roadway user Attempting to ram another vehicle

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

STRATEGIES TO REDUCE STRESS BEHIND THE WHEEL Leave plenty of time Drive the posted speed limit Minimize distractions Don’t drive when angry, upset, or overly tired Don’t drive during rush hour Know where you are going – hands free GPS Be polite

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

DON’T TRIGGER AGGRESSION IN OTHERS Keep a safe following distance Don’t cut other drivers off Leave plenty of room when merging, and give others the space they

need to merge Keep right except to pass Move right to let others pass Always use your turn signals Avoid gestures that might anger other drivers Use your horn only when necessary Do not park across multiple spots, or too close to another vehicle If you use your high-beams, return to low beams if you see another

vehicle approaching ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

DROWSY DRIVING Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of traffic collisions. The NHTSA estimates that 100,000 police reported crashes a year are the result of drowsy driving.

According to the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep in America poll, more than 1/3rd of all people admit to having fallen asleep behind the wheel.

Maggie’s Law, makes it illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle while impaired by lack of sleep. This law establishes driving while fatigued as recklessness under the vehicular homicide statute. (N.J.S.A 2C:11-5)

DROWSY DRIVINGWho is at risk?

Drivers who are sleep deprived, driving long distances, driving through the night, taking medicine that increases sleepiness, driving alone, driving on long, rural, boring roads, frequent travelers

Drivers with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders Young drivers Shift workers Commercial drivers

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

DROWSY DRIVING Warning signs:

Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or heavy eyelids Yawning repeatedly or rubbing eyes Daydreaming Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits/traffic signs Trouble keeping head up Drifting from your lane Feeling restless and irritable

If you notice any of these signs, stop driving and go to sleep for the night or take 15-20 minute nap.

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

DROWSY DRIVINGHow to maintain alertness while driving:

Protect your self from sun glare or eye strain with sunglasses Avoid heavy foods Be aware of down time during the day Have another person drive with you, take turns Take breaks – every 100 miles, or 2 hours on long trips Stop driving and get some rest or nap Consume caffeine, but do not rely on caffeine to prevent fatigue. Caffeine will wear off!

ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12

DROWSY DRIVING CAN HAPPEN TO YOU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4wAfCzYELA

Resources: ADTSEA 3.0 Curriculum – Unit 12 NJ Driver Manual