CHAPTER TWELVE

 DRIVER ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR

Attitude

A. Overview - Stress, emotions and fatigue will always affect your ability to drive. Every driver needs to possess an attitude that is suited for the safe operation of the motor vehicle when behind the wheel, and should avoid getting distracted. Environmental factors, in addition to attitude, will change your driving habits. To be a conscientious driver, you need to be a defensive driver and have a positive attitude toward law enforcement, as it can only benefit you. You also need to be able to anticipate potential traffic hazards, select prudent traffic routes, and be aware of the dangers of night driving versus day driving (driving during daytime hours is typically much safer and less dangerous than driving at night). Your attitude and behavior can also be adversely affected by a lack of knowledge regarding when to merge or yield to other drivers. Driving is a privilege that is extended to you by the State upon meeting prescribed criteria. There is no right to drive, and as a license holder you are merely exercising a privilege granted to you. You should make every attempt to keep up to date on changes to Nevada driving laws, new construction, potential road hazards, etc., and always try to keep a positive attitude when behind the wheel.

B. "Like a Loaded Gun" - A motor vehicle weighs many thousands of pounds, and if driven carelessly, it can lead to tragedy. People are lectured about gun safety and made aware of the associated dangers. However, a motor vehicle, a "simple" object that transports you daily, is far more dangerous than a gun. Abuse of a loaded gun often results in a scary reminder regarding gun safety without injury to anyone. Abuse of the vehicle, however, will undoubtedly result in damage or injury at some point. A drunk most probably wouldn't be able to aim the gun, but he or she would be able to start a motor vehicle. This bears repeating: Abuse of a vehicle will almost always lead to harmful results. You must be aware of the tremendous responsibility involved with operating a motor vehicle and consider it the same as a dangerous weapon.

Behavior

Your attitude and behavior should at all times be consistent with actions necessary to be safe on the road. The following elements are vital to safe driving:

A. General Knowledge - A basic knowledge of safe driving techniques and penalties for violating traffic laws can help you to be a safer driver. Benefits derived from periodic participation in traffic safety programs should not be forgotten, as yearly reminders of techniques to be followed are important. Penalties for negligent driving can range from simple traffic tickets to license suspensions and fatal traffic accidents.

B. Personal Goals - Your main objectives while driving should be to prevent traffic crashes and to drive as safely as possible. A concern for others and general road awareness are also vital.

C. Time Management - Allow for sufficient drive time during long road trips and be prepared for unforeseen problems. After potential trouble or road hazards are recognized, you should then allocate additional driving time, if needed. Hurriedness and stress due to poor time management are major contributors to traffic crashes. Not leaving yourself ample travel time increases your stress level and detracts from your ability to operate a vehicle safely. Hurriedness while behind the wheel will cause you to take unneeded chances, speed, and become a road hazard. Avoid driving while under severe duress, because a wandering mind cannot focus on the tribulations of the road.

Additionally, you should always observe maximum speed laws on highways and freeways and be aware of a concept called the basic speed law as it applies to city driving. The basic speed laws states that you should never drive at a speed that is faster than is safe, and should neither impede nor block the flow of traffic. "Prima facie" speed limits apply even when no visible or noticeable posts are around. Despite a lack of time due to any number of circumstances, basic traffic laws must always be followed.

D. Anticipation - In all aspects of driving, you must be able to anticipate sudden changes, possible emergencies, and high-risk areas. Adjustments should be made to driving without carelessness behind the wheel. High-risk areas to drive through include schools, playgrounds, parks, hospitals, housing communities, businesses and municipal centers. Be especially wary for children at play as well as stray animals. Various types of vehicular emergencies should also be considered, and corrective measures visualized. A cushion of safety should also be allowed, with proper vehicle spacing, anticipation of road hazards, and avoidance of known congested areas. Learn where alternate exits are in case of an unexpected change or emergency situation.

E. Preparation - Always be prepared at all times for vehicle trouble. A vehicle should be properly equipped with road flares, a flash light, a fire extinguisher, fuses, pencil and paper, change for a telephone call, a spare tire, extra oil, and in case of an accident, a camera to document the scene. Preparation is often the only assistance you will ever need.

F. Awareness of Traffic Conditions - Always be aware of traffic conditions on your chosen roadways and make intelligent choices about where you choose to drive. Decisions to drive on side streets versus through streets, one-way versus two-way streets, or certain unsafe roads in general can lead to or prevent traffic crashes. A safe driver will have a general awareness of which roadways are the safest to travel upon, and will always make decisions with that knowledge in mind.

G. Body and Head Positioning While Steering - You need to be properly positioned in the driver seat (sitting up straight with both hands on the steering wheel) with clear visibility over the steering wheel. The roadway must be visible without obstruction, and this relies on the position of your head and body in the vehicle. You must be buckled in the driver's seat, with your eyes able to focus on all aspects of the road ahead.

Emotions, Stress, and Fatigue

Stress caused by time constraints often result in traffic accidents, as do risky maneuvers taken to "make up" for lost time. Your actions behind the wheel are usually consistent with your behavior in daily life outside the vehicle. (An angry person will often drive in an aggressive manner, while someone who is rested and calm will normally drive consistent with those feelings.)

A. Emotional and Physical Factors - A contributing factor to accidents or poor driving in general are the emotions of a driver. Emotions we contend with have a direct impact on the way in which we operate a vehicle. The following are emotions and physical factors that affect driving, and the suggested ways to cope with each of them. Addressing each of the following potential problems before they manifest on the road will help prevent accidents.

1. Anger - The angry driver is the unsafe driver. Anger causes one to take chances, speed, and drive without control. Anger needs to be contained prior to driving, with an understanding that total focus is imperative behind the wheel. A level head is vital to driving.

2. Sleepiness - It is essential to get adequate sleep and to recognize signs of drowsiness before operating a motor vehicle. It is advisable to pull off the road and get that needed rest before you attempt to continue driving. When the body is tired, you are less alert, and your chances of a crash are heightened, especially when driving late at night. If you are tired, the only cure is to remove yourself and your vehicle from the road and get the much needed rest. When you drive while tired, you are a danger to yourself and all others on the road.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION EFFECTS FOUND TO BE THE SAME AS BEING DRUNK

Approximately 76,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths a year are the result of drivers falling asleep behind the wheel.

3. Daydreaming - It is important to keep your mind focused on the task of driving while you are behind the wheel. If the mind wanders and your eyes are not focused on the road, you may not see hazards and have ample reaction time.

4. Physical Limitations - You must assess your own physical limitations prior to operating a motor vehicle. The inability to reach a vehicle's clutch or turn indicator, for example, might contribute to an accident. Driving is truly a physical activity, and like with any other activity, your body is limited in what it can do.

5. Eyesight/Vision - Proper vision is important in most aspects of life, but in no area may it be more vital than while driving an automobile. As people age, most are effected by a deterioration of their eyesight. Many motorists take their ability to see things clearly for granted, but increased age or changing vision may require corrective measures. Driving a motor vehicle with anything but the best attainable vision is simply a hazard. Ego or lack of recognition of poor vision can make the best driver dangerous behind the wheel.

Although a vision test is required to receive a driver's license, the time between renewal exams is often lengthy, and eyesight deterioration can occur during that time. Periodic visits to an optometrist or ophthalmologist should be part of a safe driver's routine. Corrective glasses or contact lenses must be worn when poor eyesight warrants. Commonly, drivers in need of corrective lenses find themselves squinting to see street signs, pedestrians or other cars. These warning signs may signal the need to see an eye doctor before an accident occurs.

6. Illness/Etc. - Some conditions may cause drowsiness or dizziness, and they can affect your driving. It is not safe to drive if you are affected by medications taken for an illness. Over-the-counter medications can make you drowsy and affect your driving skills. It is important to follow these rules:

B. Recognition of Emotional / Physical Factors - Fighting fatigue while behind the wheel is never advisable. Driving while irritated, upset or shaken will substantially alter your judgment when behind the wheel. The angry driver is the aggressive offensive driver, and as a result, the dangerous driver. Stressful conditions involving personal or business life will affect safe driving and should be recognized as negative influences on driving habits. You must evaluate your state of mind before attempting the operation of a motor vehicle and avoid driving when heightened stress, anger, emotions or fatigue are realized. When emotions are exaggerated or heightened, limiting driving activities can help decrease potential accidents and injuries.

C. Effects - The safe operation of a motor vehicle requires a person to be focused while behind the wheel, uncluttered by thoughts of aggravation and distress. Numerous studies, such as the 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, have shown that the driver with a wandering mind caused by any one of the aforementioned effects has a decreased awareness of the road, a slower reaction time, and an overall lack of safe driving habits. This driver is more likely to make unsafe lane changes, speed, and take chances on the road. The ability to anticipate and determine upcoming hazards and conditions is also adversely effected.

D. Accident Potential - It is statistically proven that the emotionally distressed or fatigued driver is more apt to be involved in a traffic accident than is someone who is rested and clear-headed. A tired or disturbed driver or one with a cluttered mind has a decreased ability to avoid an automobile accident. Keep distractions within the vehicle to a minimum (i.e., children, pets, car phones, etc.), and never drive when drowsy or tired. Remember to concentrate on the road, not on other matters.

E. Drivers’ Attitude Towards State Driving Laws - Motor vehicle operators often look upon traffic laws with disdain. People stress the negative aspects of laws rather than the positive. Traffic laws are in place to save lives. Without laws, anarchy would reign supreme, and driving would be the least of our troubles. Drivers, on average, violate traffic laws over 400 times before they are actually cited. The occasional citation he or she does receive, in addition to participation in a traffic safety program, usually reminds the driver that safer driving habits are needed.

F. Road Rage - Aggressive driving behavior, including "Road Rage," is a rapidly increasing problem affecting America's drivers. This behavior is sometimes provoked by the actions of drivers when they tailgate, cut off others on the road, or use rude hand gestures. In most cases, however, road rage stems from the pre-existing attitude or mood of the drivers prior to getting behind the wheel. People often get into a vehicle when they are stressed or angry, and they then take out their problems on others with aggressive driving behavior. They in turn ignore the law, become discourteous, and have a basic disregard for others, often causing accidents or even fatalities.

The preferred and suggested option for those dealing with a situation of road rage is to avoid the problem situation altogether and leave the scene as quickly as possible. Do not allow another's anger and ignorance affect you. The safest thing is to use your own good sense and protect your life. Many road rage killings result from guns and even vehicles being used as weapons against others on the road!!

Aggressive Driving Law

In Nevada, aggressive driving is a criminal offense. You are considered to have committed this crime if, during any single, continuous period of driving within the course of 1 mile, you do each of the following:

1) Commit at least one act of speeding, either in violation of the basic speed law or in a school or work zone.

2) Commit at least two or more of the following (or one more than once):

  1. Failing to obey a traffic sign, signal or other official traffic control.
  2. Overtaking and passing another vehicle on the right by driving off the paved portion of the road (i.e. using the shoulder).
  3. Improper or unsafe driving upon a multiple-lane road with marked lanes.
  4. Following another vehicle too closely, or tailgating.
  5. Failing to yield the right-of-way when required.

3) Create an immediate hazard to another vehicle or person.

Aggressive driving is a misdemeanor which may, upon conviction, result in either a fine or both the fine and a jail sentence. A conviction or even prosecution need not be obtained for the acts above, only the act of aggressive driving itself. Below are some penalties to expect (effective October 1, 2007):

The above applies only to incidents that do not result in injury or death. In these cases, you may be charged under the reckless driving law.

Common Motorist Irritants

Don't become a statistic...Don't let road rage get to you!

Traffic disputes where one driver assaults or kills another have risen 59% since 1990.

(Derived from AAA Foundation, Washington)

Hints to Avoid a Dangerous Situation

Some Significant Facts Regarding Road Rage

Officers Working for Public Safety

Officers of the law are there to protect and serve the public. Respecting their presence and heeding their commands can only make the roads safer for everyone. Below are various types of officers you may encounter:

A. Traffic Officer - Traffic officers are primarily in charge of traffic safety, with their primary focus on maintaining clear and safe roadways.

B. Motorcycle Officer - Motorcycle officers are similar to traffic officers, but they operate on motorcycles.

C. Patrol Officer - Patrol officers are primarily patrolling and providing for public safety. Traffic matters are not their main focus.

D. Undercover Officer - Undercover officers are normally engaged in non-traffic activities, but they can also write tickets and make arrests.

E. The Highway Patrol or State Police Patrol - These officers primarily patrols highways and freeways, with the majority of their citations written for excessive speed violations. Remember: Speed leads to collisions, which leads to fatalities.

F. Transit Police - Transit Police have full police powers to arrest and ticket, but normally patrol only certain areas where the rapid transit agencies they are affiliated with operate.

G. College Police - College/University police have full police powers to arrest and ticket, but normally stay within areas specific to their College or University campus.

H. School Police - These officers have full power to arrest and ticket drivers within school property. If the local school district superintendent authorizes it, school police may also issue traffic citations on streets that are adjacent to school property.

I. Security Officers/ Private Patrols - Security officers or private patrols may only make a citizens’ arrest and are not typically affiliated with any police agency.

Driver Distractions

There are many factors which can distract you on the road. Identifying distractions and not allowing them to adversely affect the driving task are vital to collision prevention.

A. Driver Distractions (Inside the Vehicle) - Automobiles are often equipped with cellular phones, CD players, fax machines, etc., and all of these can distract you from the road. You need to understand that distractions will affect your ability to drive. Reaching for a ringing phone or searching for a radio station increases the potential for a crash.

A study by some Canadian scientists, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (February 13, 1997), claims that talking on a cellular phone while driving quadruples the risk of having a collision, making it as dangerous as driving while drunk. The safest option is to avoid using your cellular phone while operating a motor vehicle. However, if you still choose to use your phone, please follow the safety tips below:

  1. Keep the phone close to you so you won't have to reach or look for it while driving.
  2. Dial only when at a stoplight or sign, or pull off the road to dial.
  3. Never use your phone in distracting traffic situations or in stop-and-go traffic. Pull over and use the phone while off the road.
  4. Disconnect your cellular phone while using jumper cables as the power surge could burn out your phone battery.
  5. If you have a phone in your car, use it to report emergencies on the road by dialing 911. Always be ready to provide the closest major cross streets or off-ramps in the area. NOTE: Cellular phone users in the United States make nearly 50,000 calls each day to report highway and neighborhood emergencies.

Any situation that can mentally or emotionally distract you and take precedence over traffic matters is dangerous. Distractions must be kept to a minimum, and you must be focused at all times.

B. Driver Distractions (Outside the Vehicle) - You must be aware of road hazards and road conditions that may affect the vehicle, but you should not let outside distractions affect your safe driving habits. Billboards, homes, pedestrians, etc., may be attractive to view, but they should not deter you from the driving task. Awareness of the road is vital, since a wandering eye can prove deadly. For example, real estate brokers are statistically involved in many collisions, because looking at street names and addresses removes their eyes from the road. A handsome man or a pretty woman that distracts drivers often leads to rear-enders. Without full attention to the roadways, collisions become inevitable, exemplifying the need for the eyes to remain fixed on the road and concentrated on the task of driving. Emergency vehicles are another type of outside distraction that require respect and cannot affect you adversely. Ambulances or fire trucks should be allowed to use the roadway, unencumbered by other vehicles, and should not be obstructed in any way. Staring at or following emergency vehicles will only add to the problem on the road. In addition, avoid getting caught up in scenery; admire these homes or buildings or views while stopped at a safe location, not while driving. These distractions will only contribute to collisions.

C. Children/Other Passengers - Your focus, again, should always be on the road. Passengers, particularly children, often require much of your attention and may decrease road awareness. All passengers, including children, must be buckled in the vehicle and instructed to let you focus on the road.

D. Pets - Pets should be leashed or placed in a pet carrier while in the vehicle, particularly if you put them in the back of an open truck. Leaving pets on the lap can cause collisions because they block the usage of car functions. If traveling with a pet, never let it interfere with your control of the vehicle. Secure it in the back seat with the care you would give any other passenger.

E. Eating - Eating will distract you and cause you to take your hands from the steering wheel. You should eat before you drive, but if this is not possible, satisfy your appetite only on the side of the road in a parked car.

F. Drinking - Drinking and subsequent spills often cause the eyes to focus away from the road. Hot spills can result in burns and increase the chances for a crash as well.

G. Smoking - Smoking does not allow you to keep both hands on the steering wheel. While that is not safe, it is the process of smoking that can be a deadly distraction. If you have to reach for a cigarette, light it, put it out, or watch for falling ashes while trying to control the vehicle, you will lose focus on the road.

H. Radio - Finding a station and looking down at the radio takes your eyes away from the road. Leaning over to change the station often causes the vehicle to veer off course and increases the potential for getting into a collision. To prevent this, use those preset buttons to locate stations so that it does not adversely affect your driving. Additionally, some people combine driving with dancing. Music is often stimulating, but physical gyrations while driving can interfere and prove to be unsafe.
 
I. Reading - Attempting to read and drive at the same time is impossible. The act of driving should be respected. Reading often leads to rear end collisions because the eyes are not focused on the road and the driver does not see cars braking ahead. If you persist in reading newspapers or books perched on your steering wheel, you are simply asking for trouble.

J. Applying Makeup / Shaving - These actions have no place in the vehicle whatsoever. Prepare yourself at home before driving. It is common to see men shaving or women applying lipstick or makeup while behind the wheel. Again, you cannot combine driving with these actions. A crash is likely to occur.

K. General Distractions - Awareness of the immediate surroundings while driving is essential to avoiding collisions. Distractions such as buildings, people, or other vehicles must not alter your vehicle control. You must alter your visual habits if they are not conducive to the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Wandering eyes will heighten collision potential. Instead you should look every two or three seconds at the rear view mirror, the speedometer, and the road ahead to get an adequate determination of speed, positioning and road conditions. Remember: be prepared for the unexpected.