| Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 10:44:55 -1000 Subject: missing Topic
Dear Dr.Driving,
Hello, I was just reading your website on road rage, and I found it to be very
interesting, however, I could not find anything dealing with aggression not towards other
drivers, but towards pedestrians. Would you please suggest any reading on this topic for
me?. I often walk home from work and I encounter drivers who yell things at me, or throw
cans of
soda , etc. at us pedestrians. Thank you for any suggestions.
R.J.
Hi R J,
The topic of pedestrian safety issues is covered in several places on DrDriving.
Perhaps we need to gather the topics together for easier access. Please use the search
engine on DrDriving (about 8 screens down from the top) and type in pedestrians. You'll
get about 100 documents and you can explore. Let me know your thougths afterward.
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2001 08:28:23 -1000
Subject: info
I am doing a research paper on road rage. I am trying to get personal opinions via
e-mail. I appreciate any additional information you could give. I must commend you for the
wonderful website. It is full of good ideas.
Thanks
E.B.
Hi, E.B.,
Feel free to quote from my many articles on the Web. If you want an exclusive statement
for you, I can make this comment:
In our book we document the thoughts and feelings of people behind the wheel of an
automobile. This is the first time in car history that we can examine the thoughts and
emotions of drivers. What I found was astonishing to me and many people: Almost
ninety-percent of all drivers regularly experience violent emotions while driving and
engage in abusive thoughts about others. This amazing finding implies two things. First,
that
aggressiveness and rage behind the wheel is part of our culture and transmitted in
socialization. Second, every driver needs a driving personality makeover if our society is
going to free itself from this epidemic. Our book describes the steps we can each take to
modify our driving habits and philosophy.
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 08:26:16 -1000
Subject: LICENSE PLATE
Yesterday I saw a personalized HI license plate that said CALMLY.
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 04:08:39 -1000
Subject: need information for class
To: whom it may concern:
My name is R.H. and I am looking for free information to distribute to my class and
help educate them about road rage. Pamphlets, videos, posters,etc. would be extremely
helpful.
Thank You,
R.H.
Hi, R.H.,
You can print any of the Tables in this file then duplicate as many as you need for
your program:
http://DrDriving.orgee.html
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 17:13:07 -1000
Subject: Permission to reprint
I would like to use one of your test yourself inventories as a handout at our church
conference on Saturday, September 22. The inventory lists 20 items in ascending order from
mentally condemning other drivers to killing someone. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
S.A.
Hi, S.A.,
You're welcome to use it for the above purpose. Please add my name and the site, or the
book, for identification. Thanks.
THE BOOK:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
THE SITE:
www.DrDriving.org
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 17:57:41 -1000
Subject: I want to know what is legal
Hi Dr. Driving, I want to know since I am a fulltime EMT-D in NYC and I also do
volunteer work for central par volunteer ambulance if it is legal that I add green trobe
lights to my car since I already have the dashboard mounted green emergency lights.
According to a former police officer I know he said it is legal as long as they are green.
He told me Cops and certified EMS fly cars use red, volunteer fire dept use blue and
personal EMT's and Paramedics vehicles use green. Please email me back and tell me whether
I'd be braking the law if I add these lights to my car.
Sincerily
E.R. EMT-D
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 08:20:31 -1000
Subject: Hello Dr. Driving
It's me again! Do you have any t-shirts that have your logo " Drive with aloha
spirit" on them? I would love one!
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 16:02:24 -1000
Subject: Paper
Hello Dr. Driving,
I was writing to ask you for written permission to possibly use your Summary Statement
About DrDriving's Philosophy and Approach for my Eng 101 class. Thanks for your help.
C~
Permission granted as long as you give reference to me and the site address. Also, you
might like to cite our book:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 11:05:38 -1000
Subject: request for interview
My name is J.D., and I am associate editor of Overdrive magazine, a trucking magazine
with 125,000 print subscribers and an additional online readership at www.etrucker.com. I
am writing a story on truckers and depression and was interested in the relationship
between depression and driving performance. I appreciate any help you can extend. Please
contact me as soon as possible at 1-800-633-5953, ext. 1449. I am on Central Time.
Regards,
J.D.
Associate Editor
Overdrive magazine
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 16:45:44 -1000
Subject: HELP!!
Dear doctor driving,
I am a college student who is attempting to make her first speech for public speaking
class on the topic of road rage. I’ve narrowed down my topic to "Do men exhibit
more road rage than women?" however I'm having great difficulty finding any sort of
research to answer my question. id appreciate it if u could provide me with some facts or
statistics, or better yet even some source of reference from which I can gather my
information. id be ever so grateful if you could help, however I do need some assistance
ASAP.. The speech is due on Monday. Thanx for ur time and I hope u can help!
Sincerely,
Desperately in need
Please consult our directory of student reports on gender differences in driving at
this location:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/gender.htm
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 16:14:50 -1000
Subject: Please help
Dear, Dr. Driving
My name is C.S., I am a student at Montana State University, and I am doing a large
report on Road Rage. In particular I am hoping that you could direct me to sites where I
could find information about the legal steps that have and will be taken to combat road
rage.
Thank You
-C
Please consult our page on law enforcement and aggressive driving laws:
http://DrDriving.org/police/teecards.html
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 06:09:19 -1000
Subject: Re: Please help
Dear, Dr. Driving
Thank you so much for your help.
-C.S.
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 07:15:08 -1000
Subject: Road Rage and Keep to the Right
Would you really like to help cut down on Road Rage?
How about having State Troopers and Police enforce the law that says a driver must keep
to the RIGHT except when Passing. Simple, right.
Too many drivers go immediately out into the passing lane and STAY there no matter
what. This forces other drivers to break the law by having to pass on the right.
Too many drivers think because their speedometer says they are going the legal speed
limit they are entitled to give the finger to drivers whose speedometers say THEY are
going the legal speed limit. If the first driver with the incorrect speedometer is
actually going 5 MPH slower, and the car trying to pass is actually going 5 MPH faster,
you can see the built in catalyst for rage. BOTH are insisting, "I am right, the heck
with him".
And, the police, politicians and you continue to ignore the cause, Failure to Keep to
the Right Except When Passing. It is so easy to finger the frustrated driver, albeit,
usually a Type A, but, that, is a reality.
There are type As and Type Bs. If we enforce the long ignored law of keeping to the
right, we cut down on the majority of the cause of the conflict between them and cut down
immeasurably on Road Rage.
I think so, anyway.
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 04:19:02 -1000
Subject: Question?
Hi, I have a question. You are in a front-wheel drive car, it is raining and you are
doing about 65-70 m.p.h. you go in to a turn and hit a patch of water losing traction,
your two front tires are ok but the two back tires are balding, what could be all the
reasons that you spin out?
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 05:32:28 -1000
Subject: editorial query
To:
Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl
Dear Drs. James and Nahl,
I am writing an editorial article for Arthritis Today magazine on the many issues
connected to people who suffer with any of the 100 types of arthritis its effects on
driving. I've perused your web site extensively, and while much has to do with other
issues, I have found mentions to driving ability and mobility issues. I am writing in
hopes that you can contribute a brief paragraph on mobility issues for people with
physical limitations. Feel free to offer whatever you would like regarding this specific
issue. Thank you for considering offering your professional expertise to this coverage.
C.D.
Freelance & Author Services
Hi, C.D.,
You are free to quote from any article we have on the Web. Your readers might like to
know the site address, which is:
DrDriving.org
and the book:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
Regarding a paragraph on arthritis and driving, perhaps this might be of interest to
quote:
Our book has documented the new reality on our roads, namely the diversity of drivers
out there that has changed the expectations and norms about driving behavior. There are
now more then 177 million licensed drivers in the U.S. which means that the driver
population parallels the general population in terms of demographics, physical condition,
and psychology of drivers. On a typical city commute that takes an average of 35 minutes,
we are likely to encounter thousands of drivers on the road to work or home. These drivers
vary in terms of age, experience, physical condition, mental state, and purpose for being
on the road. Some drivers are sick or medicated and yet they feel they have no choice but
to drive on that day. Some drivers have chronic disabilities and others have temporary
impairment. Being on medication or having a painful neck or cramp are temporary
conditions.
Both temporary and chronic conditions affect how we drive. Millions of people suffer
from arthrithis and its related symptoms and it is logical to assume that their driving
will be affected by unpredictable flare ups or other intensification of symptoms. It is
important that all drivers face their intolerance and impatience towards other drivers who
are affected by some physical disability or temporary symptom. The normal response to a
driver who is behaving differently from what is expected on that road is for the other
drivers to be aggressive and to act like they think these people should not be behind the
wheel. However this is not a pro-social attitude and detracts from the safety of all. One
way to help drivers who are physically impaired is for the appropriate government agencies
to issue a, easily visible medical decal or bumper sticker that can be displayed or
removed as needed. This will give notice to other drivers that they cannot expect the
usual behavior from that driver. We believe this would allow them to control their
impatience by giving them notice they need to get around that car rather than force the
driver to
drive differently (e.g., speed up or change lanes).
Aloha,
Leon James
Diane Nahl
DrDriving.org
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 03:05:00 -1000
Subject: RE: editorial query
This is a perfect contribution, Leon. I'm very grateful to you for your timely response
and your professional offerings. I will indeed tag your web site address as well as your
book in the article. If you would kindly email your mailing address back to me, I'll see
to it that you receive a comp copy of the edition when it is released (slated for
December's edition).
Thanks again,
C
C.D.
Freelance & Author Services
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 14:20:50 -1000
Subject: Rage-Depression Survey
Dear Dr. Nahl & Dr. James:
I A.Y. will like to request your authorization to use the Rage-Depression Survey for my
Thesis on Novice Drivers, Attitudes, Feelings on Road Rage though the Skylight Masters
Programs at Saint Xavier University, Chicago, Illinois.
Thanks you in advance for your assistant in this matter.
Sincerely,
A.Y.
Hi A.Y.,
You have our permission for this purpose as indicated below. Please give our site as
the appropriate source of the test:
DrDriving.org
and our joint names.
Also, we would like to see a summary of your results and conclusions, if you don't
mind.
Aloha,
Leon James
Diane Nahl
DrDriving.org
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 21:03:19 -1000
Subject: Found your page.
First of all, my compliments on the page design. It appears to possess a plethora of
locales at which interested parties may obtain desired information.
I do, however, have a question. You will excuse the "long-winded" prelude to
my query, but I assure you it is relevant.
I am the list-owner of a car related email group (bajabugs@yahoogroups.com). The
subject of "Road Rage" came up recently, and there was much discussion. Several
different views were expressed.
Then, today (Sunday 24 September, 2001), my wife's parents were involved in an
automobile accident. A driver failed to stop, causing my Father-in-Law to drive off the
road, very nearly overturning his truck. The driver who caused this fled the scene.
A passerby was able to acquire the driver's license plate number. This was achieved
only by chasing the driver. While I was not there, I can imagine the speeds which were
involved with the chase.
Had this Good Samaritan NOT been willing to engage in a possibly high speed pursuit, we
would likely never have known who caused this accident.
The good news is that my wife's parents appear to have avoided serious injury. This is
only by the blessing of God, and the well designed Ford pick-up they occupied.
All of this being said, here is my question:
When someone deliberately violates the law, and in doing so endangers the lives of
others, WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE? People always say "Just let it go" whenever
the subject of "Road Rage" comes up. At what point do you NOT let it go?
Here are points I made to my email group:
If someone cuts you off in traffic, and nearly causes a multi-car wreck, "Just let
it go."
If someone fails to yield the right-of-way, and nearly plows his car into your wife's
lap, "Just let it go."
If someone puts a gun to your wife's head, and says "You do or she does",
Just let it go?
If someone hijacks an airplane, and flys into a building, Just let it go?
And, make no mistake, a multi-thousand pound vehicle will kill just as quickly and
surely as a gun. And, sadly, we are all now aware of just what can happen with an
airplane.
Does someone have to be injured, maimed, or killed before we are "allowed" to
get angry? When there are no law enforcement personnel available, how do we insure that
the "bad driver" won't do it again? And, with the way that some law enforcement
agencies ignore some types of traffic incidents, what do the citizens do? If the
government will not protect the citizen, should not the citizen be allowed to protect
himself?
Please realize that I am not upset with you, or your beliefs. This subject is very
touchy, especially so in my household. I have fallen "victim" to my local law
enforcement's lack of action in a traffic incident.
I do support the information you make available, and commend you on some of your
efforts. I also, however, believe that today's society has taken too many subjects too
far. An example would be all of the different types of "Rage" listed on your
website.
I disagree with the theory that "Road Rage" is just transference of another
problem in one's life. I, like every American, have many "problems" in my life,
but I do not turn into a raging hulk when I get behind the wheel of my car. I do not chase
down every driver on the road who does something I think is stupid or dangerous. I do,
however, take extreme offence when someone does something that puts my life or physical
well being (or that of my loved ones) in imminent danger.
I leave you with this thought:
A principle holds in all situations, or it holds in no situations. The principle of
"Just let it go" has many ramifications. One of which is anarchy. Anarchy
because "Just let it go" totally eliminates punishment or justice. "Just
let it go" means to ignore that it happened. Tell that to the people in New York.
Tell them that we should "Just let it go".
C.D,
San Antonio, Texas
Hi C.D.,
Thanks for expressing your passionate view on the "Just let it go" principle.
You might be surprised that I agree with you that doing nothing is not our best option
regarding aggressive driving. You appear to think that this is my position. Actually, my
position is that it is important and necessary to do something--which is why I have the
DrDriving theme going on the Web and in our book.
And what we must do is this: To avoid a type of vigilanteism by drivers who want to
take matters in their own hand by retaliating. This is not legal, not moral, not rational,
not effective, and further, increases risk and decreases security for others on the road.
Instead, you and I and others have to work with the political system to bring about legal
and educational changes. We have detailed what these might be in our book, which I hope
you'll get a chance to read.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
THE BOOK:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
+++++++++++++++++++
http://DrDriving.org
DrDriving@DrDriving.org
+++++++++++++++++++
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 11:33:34 -1000
Subject: obtaining an article
I am having trouble obtaining a copy of the article you have listed as #417
("Acquisition of Indirect Vision Information by Novice, Experienced and Mature
Drivers" (1977) by Mourant and Donohue, Journal of Safety Research, Vol 9, pp 39-46.
Do you know where I might look? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
C.M.
Hi, C.M.,
Please consult a librarian on where you can obtain archived copies of this journal if
it is not in your local library.
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 04:35:45 -1000
Subject: Psychology of left turns
Dr. James,
Do you know of any good articles, studies or books relating to the psychology of left
hand turns? The specific situation I would like material on is a left hand turn across a 4
lane highway when traffic is building behind the driver. In other words, a left hand turn
out of a crowded shopping center entrance/exit road onto a busy 4 lane highway. This would
be a legal left turn. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
J.P.B.
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 18:33:20 -1000
Subject: Teen Speeding
My teenage son will be 17 in November. He got his license about seven months ago. Since
then, I witnessed him driving so fast down our street that the car hit air, then he got a
ticket for doing 81 in a 65 zone and just today the school took his parking permit for
going 45 mph in the parking lot (well after school was out but athletics were still
ongoing.) He is in all Honors, AP Classes, does not take drugs or drink and hangs out with
a good crowd. He plays a sport and is happy with his social life. I have grounded him from
the car for three weeks - hoping he will learn his lesson - but all the previous times he
makes the right noises and then goes out and speeds again. As you can see he has not held
his license for very long and I am sure that he speeds more than he is actually caught.
Aside from permanently grounding him is there anything else I can do to get him to slow
down???  ! ;In every other way he is a great teen but once behind the wheel he
just seems to need to go fast. And, yes, I have given every lecture and pointed all the
dangers out and he has agreed.... And yet.... Let me know if you have any solution.
Thanks.
Yes, I do have a recommendation: give him our book to read (see below). Possibly you
can read it together as a family project. It's important to make sure he does all the
exercises in each chapter. You need to tell him he must do this or face license removal.
See if he begins to talk about his speeding in a different way after reading the book.
Please write back and let me know how it went.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
THE BOOK:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 18:56:56 -1000
Subject: Road Rage
Dear Dr. Driving.
I am a full time student in Portland Oregon, I and a few of my classmates are currently
doing research on Road Rage. I stumbled on your website through a search engine and I was
wondering if you could help us in finding some links or information on how Road Rage is
related to one of the five views of behavior "behavioristic view" of psychology.
Any help would be much appreciated.
P.S. How much would a segment of one of your videos cost? Especially one dealing with
the psychology of road rage.
Mahalo.
B.H.T.
Hi B.T.,
The RoadRageous Video segments can be ordered from AIPS by contacting:
Christopher O. Huffman
President and Chief Operating Officer
American Institute for Public Safety
12000 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 705
N Miami Fl. 33181
888-458-2477 ext. 223
COHuffman@aol.com
The book Road Rage and Aggressive Driving can be ordered from Prometheus, from your
local bookstore, or online from amazon.com or bn.com
Both of these have a behavioral orientation. You will also find articles on
DrDriving.org that are behavioral oriented. Let me know if you need further assistance.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
THE BOOK
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 05:48:04 -1000
Subject: traffic psychology
Hello. My name is K.B., and I am a student at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY. I
am currently taking a traffic psychology senior seminar, and I have to do a presentation.
I chose to do my presentation on the topic of motorcycles and sensation-seeking. I am
having a difficult time finding articles on this subject, and while searching the web for
journals, I came across your web site. Since you seem to be an expert in the area of
traffic psychology, I was wondering if you might be able to help me in this area. If you
know of any good articles or journals that might have some information, I would appreciate
any help I could get. Thank you
very much.
Sincerely, K.B.
I went to google.com and typed in "motorcycles and sensation-seeking" and got
50 hits that look like what you might want. Try it.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2001 06:00:59 -1000
Subject: Re: motorcycles and sensation-seeking
Dr. James,
Thank you very much for your help. I'm always a little wary of trying non-psychology
sites, and I never even thought of google.com. I found a number of useful articles. Once
again, thank you.
K.B.
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2001 09:53:20 -1000
Subject: Re: Road Rage interview answers
> My name is A.D.P. and I'm a reporter from Humber College, a school in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada and I'm currently working on a story about road
> rage. I'd very much appreciate the answer to some questions I have about road rage
as soon as possible.
Hi A.D.,
Here some answers I'd like to give to your questions:
> 1-What did you decide to start "driving psychology?"
Driving psychology is the name Dr. Nahl and I selected for our research and practice in
driving behavior. Driver ed teaches about driving while driving psychology teaches about
the driver. We think the two should be combined.
> 2-What exactly is road rage?
Road rage is a way of driving that is anti-social and dangerous. It manifests itself in
the driver's emotions, thinking, and bodily reactions such as perception and motor
responses. Driving in as state of road rage involves having negative emotions like
frustration and anger, negative thoughts like fantasies of violence and interpreting the
actions of others as an insult. As a result of these negative emotions and thoughts, our
body acts negatively as well such as hostile gestures or words, and impulsive or risky
maneuvers behind the wheel.
> 3-Do you believe it's a mental thing that leads people to act the way they
> do when driving?
Our driving is a combination of feeling (or emotion), thinking, and doing. The three
act together. If we begin to feel compassion or a cooperative attitude in traffic, it's
easier to think positive thoughts, and the two together lead to tolerant behavior and
avoidance of risk.
> 4-What is the cause of road rage, or what do you believe it is?
Road rage is a cultural habit or norm. We learn road rage in childhood onward as we are
driven around by parents and other adults. then this aggressive attitude behind the wheel
gets further reinforced by TV shows that portray drivers behaving badly, enjoying it, and
getting away with it. By the time we obtain a license and rive, we are rigged for road
rage and continue to drive aggressively all the time as a habit.
> 5- How can it be gotten rid of?
To eliminate aggressive driving and road rage we need to start driver ed in grade 1 and
continue until the end of high school. In the early grades we need to teach driving
psychology so people can understand their emotions in public places where we share the
road, street, playground, or shopping plaza. We also need to continue driver ed throughout
our driving years. This may be done through driving support groups called Quality Driving
Circles. We describe this special program in our book along with exercises we need to do
to change our driving personality from aggressive to supportive:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
We also recommend people take an aggressive driving prevention course. The video course
called RoadRageous that we authored, can be purchased or taken online as a way of teaching
yourself to understand our driving emotions and how to modify our driving personality. A
description of the video and the book, along with much other free information will be
found at our Web site: www.DrDriving.org
> 6-What's the worst scenario you've seen or heard of when it comes to road
> rage?
You will find a collection of news articles in this file on our site:
http://DrDriving.org/rrnews.html
The most famous story or road rage that aroused the most interest among people is that
of the man who threw the dog into the street, see here:
http://DrDriving.org/rrnews.html#dog
> Thanks very much!
You're welcome, and good luck with your story!
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
DrDriving.org
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2001 17:30:15 -1000
Subject: stress
Dear Dr.Driving,
Hello I drive a truck for a collage here in Indiana and IM trying to get some info
about stress and driving. 18,000 kids numinous other trucks and cars. deadlines sometimes
its too much.
Here are some sites that discuss stress and driving:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/Pdfs/TB01-004.pdf
http://www.cybersteering.com/cruise/feature/heart/heart.html
http://www.media.mit.edu/affect/AC_research/projects/driver_stress.html
http://www.oshforeveryone.org/wsib/spec_haz/safety/vehicle/tra09ae.html
http://www.lessstress.com/corp.htm
http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/TRUCKDVR.HTM
http://wwwsoc.murdoch.edu.au/irst/publications.htm
http://www.ivillage.com/sponsors/dasani/articles/march/article_driving.html
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499f97/dtanioka/james/jannhtml.html
http://www.web-2-net.com/healthyback/Driving/driving.html
http://studwww.rug.ac.be/~rgeldhof/bijlage.html
http://www.phobiafree.com/
http://www.albany.edu/tree-tops/docs/pr/roadrage.html
http://www.albany.edu/tree-tops/docs.sph/injury/injr_016.html
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/499s98/kam/ankrom.html
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy/psy459a/arashi/labreport.html
http://www.aaafoundation.org/quisize="3es/index.cfm?button=aggressive
Hope this helps.
Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 08:58:51 -1000
Subject: visuals on web site
We are developing a Web site for our new Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic. We hope
that our site will educate the public as to the dangers of concussion and the importance
of prompt medical attention, as well as the treatment options available.
We are interested in displaying this visual from your story "Road rage hits NYC
parking lot father of eight dies" on your Web site on to our clinic's site.
www.DrDriving.org/icons3/ 19970408-cars.jpg
We would be happy to give credit to your site underneath the image. Please let me know
if this is permissible, and if so, what I need to do to obtain permission. Thank you for
your time.
R.C.
Shands HealthCare Marketing and Public Relations
Gainesville, FL
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 11:41:11 -1000
Subject: Questions from a student
Hello,
I am currently working on a paper for my Social Problems class and one question I have
is this: When did road rage first begin? I am a 41 year female and live in a small rural
area and I see road rage in this town daily. But, I also know it hasn't always been this
way. Hence my question.
Thanks for any help you may offer,
J.L.
Our book traces the history of road rage back to the Romans and aggressive horsemen and
drivers of carriages. See also a collection of road rage news story chronologically
arranged at:
www.DrDriving.org/rrnews.html
Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 13:36:25 -1000
Subject: Road Rage Test
Is there some kind of test you can take to determine if you have road rage potentials?
Yes, there are several in this file:
http://DrDriving.orgests
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2001 06:58:09 -1000
Subject: survey results
Hello,
My name is B.R. I'm taking a public speaking class at Columbus State University, I'm
going to talk about road rage. I was wondering if I could see the results of you
Rage-Depression Survey, or any other survey on this topic.
Thank you,
B.R.
Try this file:
http://DrDriving.orgests
The rage-depression results will be posted in two weeks.
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 08:29:18 -1000
Dear Dr.Driving,
I have a question.
If someone is on a 2 way road and wants to make a left turn and there are 20 cars ahead
of him and he wanted to turn left but all the other cars were waiting to go straight. Is
it illegal to get on the shoulder of the road and go to the red light to turn left. So you
don’t have to wait in line at the red light- if you can and have this information
either it is illegal or not can you email this information.
Thank you.
R
Hi R.P.,
To know for sure, just call your local police department and ask them. However, in
general, the law does not allow driving on the shoulder in order to get around cars in
front of you.
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 06:28:55 -1000
Subject: Parking lot laws ?
Hello, My girlfriend was recently involved in an car accident exceeding $1,000 in
damages inside a supermarket parking lot in South Pasadena, California. my girlfriend was
backing up out of her spot when she was rear-ended. The thing is that the parking spots
are all angle parking on both sides. the lady that hit her was backing up against the flow
of traffic. Other than all angle spots marking the flow of traffic there are very big and
visible arrows painted on the asphalt directing traffic in one way. This lady backed up
against all that and collided with her rear end of her car with my girlfriends rear end.
She claims the fault is 50/50. I do not see how that is possible. She was obviously
backing up against traffic knowingly. I do not know how state traffic laws stand up in
court concerning parking lots. So I am asking for any knowledge you may have in this
matter or if you could e-mail me any articles that might help me win my case in court. I
know that if it was me driving i!
would have taken full responsibility if I were in her shoe. She is being very stubborn
including after I showed her full diagrams of what had occurred. So please let me know
what I can do.
P.S If contacting me by phone , and my machine gets it please leave me a contact number
so i can call you back.. Thank you for your time... B.T.
Hi, B.T.,
I do not have information that is that detailed. You will need to search on the Web--I
recommend google.com and it might take a thorough search. Also, your lawyer may have
access to professional databases on court judgments (or ask your local law librarian to
help). Good luck.
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 11:56:38 -1000
Subject: Re: Parking lot laws ?
Thank you for your fast response and help. I will look into that book .
Thanks Again, B...
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 11:41:29 -1000
Subject: SIDEWALK RAGE
I'm reading a detective book that has a brief description of a "sidewalk
rage" incident:
Paretsky, Sara
Hard Time [paperback]
New York, Dell Publishing, 1999
>From p. 42:
A woman hurrying toward State Street banged into me, jarring the phone and breaking the
connection. "Do you think a cell phone gives you ownership of the streets?" she
yelled over her shoulder. Sidewalk rage, the new hip form of urban rudeness.
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2001 07:39:52 -1000
Subject: women and rage
Hello,
It's A. again, the reporter from Humber who was doing an article on road rage. I was
told that due to the fact that these kinds of stories had been "done to death" I
had to change my focus to women and rage. If you could answer some of these questions. I'd
greatly appreciate it. Thanks very much!
1- Why do you think the majority of people believe only men are the aggressors in an
aggressive driving or 'road rage' situation?
2-Do you believe the number of women who have road rage is increasing?
3-What are the comparison numbers when it comes to men and women aggressively driving?
Does it happen to men or women more? Why?
4-Why have women been able to hide their rage until now, but are now expressing
themselves more often?
5-Have you ever come across any female aggressive drivers and if not, do you know of
anyone who has? If yes, what was the situation you were caught in?
Thanks very much!
A
> 1- Why do you think the majority of people believe only men are the aggressors in
an aggressive driving or 'road rage' situation?
Do they? I don't know of such data.
> 2-Do you believe the number of women who have road rage is increasing?
Yes because it is becoming a social norm transmitted generationally from childhood
onward.
> 3-What are the comparison numbers when it comes to men and women aggressively
driving? Does it happen to men or women more? Why?
Comparisons between men and women for rage and anger are given in these two files:
http://DrDriving.org/surveys/survey2/interpretations.html
http://DrDriving.org/rage-results.html
And comparisons between U.S. and Canada in aggressive driving are given in this
article:
http://DrDriving.org/surveys/age.html
> 4-Why have women been able to hide their rage until now, but are now expressing
themselves more often?
This is answered above.
> 5-Have you ever come across any female aggressive drivers and if not, do you know
of anyone who has? If yes, what was the situation you were caught in?
There are road rage stories in these two files, some of them involve women:
http://DrDriving.org/rrnews.html
http://DrDriving.org/news/review1.htm
And women and driving are discussed in the reports listed here:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/gender.htm
Hope this helps to give your article a new twist. Also: don't forget the children od
rroad rage and the influence of TV, discussed here:
http://DrDriving.org/youth
Aloha,
Leon James
Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2001 01:58:32 -1000
Hi, I'm a university student from the UK and I'm hoping to do my 3rd year dissertation
on gender differences concerning driving. I was just wondering whether you had any good
information on gender in this field?
Your website is great and has been very helpful so far!!
Hope to hear from you soon,
H.T.
Gender differences are reported in several articles listed here:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/gender.htm
http://DrDriving.org/rage-results.html
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 01:05:19 -1000
Thanks for your prompt reply and your suggestions have been very helpful. I was just
wondering whether you could point me towards any other sites which you think would help.
My provisional dissertation title at present refers to: Finding out in relation to social
norms, and stereotypical images, whether males or females are more prone to aggressive
driving. Also the aim is to discover whether as a result of aggressiveness levels, which
gender are the 'better' (and I use this term carefully!!) drivers!
H.T.
Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2001 15:44:41 -1000
Subject: Update on statistics
Would you please update me on the most recent (annual) number of incidents of violent
aggressive driving? I have read a report from July, 1997 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety. But I have not easily found any updated statistics, to indicate what the pattern
is from then.
I would appreciate any information you can provide for me, for a speech I am planning
in the near future to a small group of business associates.
Thank you for your help.
C.E.
I do not know of any such annual data. Sounds amazing, but this is not reported or kept
track of by any agency that I know of.
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2001 17:35:21 -1000
Subject: Road Rage
Dear Dr. James,
Just wanted to thank you for putting up all the information you have concerning road
rage. My girlfriend is writing a paper on this & your site has been incredibly useful
to us. Truly, this is what the internet is all about. But more than that, this is what
being human is all about- sharing one's knowledge with all those who will listen;
generosity.
My warmest thanks,
T
of Denver
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2001 11:08:21 -1000
Subject: Article research
Dear Dr. James,
My name is A.S., and I am the editor and content manager of Culturenotes.com, a website
on cultural affairs published through the Webseed Publishing Network.
We are currently doing article research on the phenomenon of parking lot rage and how
it is becoming as pervasive and dangerous as road rage. Your thoughts on the following
questions will be greatly appreciated: What is the clinical definition of parking lot
rage? Why does it happen, who is most susceptible to it
psychologically, and how can it be prevented? Does parking lot rage signify a
coarsening of attitudes and an erosion of public etiquette?
Thank you very much for your time and comments, which will be directly sourced in the
upcoming article.
Sincerely,
A.S.
Content Manager,
Culturenotes
www.culturenotes.com
> rage and how it is becoming as pervasive and dangerous as road rage. Your thoughts
on the following questions will be greatly appreciated:
> What is the clinical definition of parking lot rage?
There is no clinical definition or parking lot rage or even road rage though I expect
there will be in the future. Also, there is a total absence of research in this area thus
far.
> Why does it happen, who is most susceptible to it psychologically, and how can it
be prevented?
Parking rage, like road rage, is due to a breakdown or weakening of people's internal
control of their emotions in public places. This erosion is part of a general problem in
our society in relation to anger and how we express anger. We learn as children to express
anger and disrespect and this tendency is strengthened as we grow up. There is a mental
attitude that encourages cynicism towards authority and moral virtues such as kindness,
tolerance, and compassion. When we get challenged in parking lots by someone's else's
actions, we feel enraged. Many people lack the skills to cope with this rage and so they
express it through aggressive or violent behavior.
> Does parking lot rage signify a coarsening of attitudes and an erosion of public
etiquette?
Yes. George Washington used to say that civility is the glue that holds our nation
together. Unless we teach our children the coping skills of how to deal with emotions in
public places, parking lot rage, road rage, air rage and other forms of rage will continue
to increase.
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2001 17:34:58 -1000
Subject: question
Dear Dr. Driving,
I'm collecting data for a paper on how personality types affect driving, but I'm having
a hard time finding enough info. Can you recommend anything for me - books, websites,
articles, etc.?
Thank you,
S.L.
Here are articles dealing with driving and personlaity type:
http://www.house.gov/transportation/surface/sthearin/ist717/ist717.htm
http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/hwsocpsy.html
http://www.middlebury.edu/hr/library.html
http://www.newswise.com/b-life1200.htm
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/NatSci/html/Roadrage.html
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/459f98/stonewebb/report1stonewebb.html
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/student2/p28/topics.html
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/eysenck.html
http://www.starcloser.com/SCDescription.asp
http://www.rpg.net/252/quellen/mcmanus/
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 10:50:24 -1000
Subject: hello...
Hi, my name is K.T., and I am studying at Arapahoe Community College. I am currently
enrolled in a psychology class here, and I have a term paper due pretty soon. My research
paper is on "Road Rage." I came upon your name from reading one of your
testimony. I showed the paper to my instructor and he asked me to email you and ask you
for some of your journal articles on road rages. I have emailed you once but am not sure
if you received it.
If you are not able to send me a journal article, please do tell me where I should go
and look for one. I have to have two journal articles for my term paper, and it would be
nice if I may have one from you.
Sincerely,
K. T.
p.s. thank you
You can mention the book (see below). Also this article:
http://DrDriving.org/driversconference.html
The article has references you can use.
Also, more articles and references here: http://drivers.com/
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 09:35:47 -1000
Subject: Help??
Can you report reckless driving?? Can you report road rage??
Esp. when you are at the abussive end of this conduct...
thank you,
D. P. O.
Client Relations Specialist
Philadelphia Business Journal
400 Market St Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Here is a site where you can report road rage:
http://www.reportroadrage.co.uk/
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 06:52:13 -1000
Subject: Message from semana
Dr. Nahl,
My name is S.C. and I work at Semana, the leading news magazine in Bogota, Colombia. We
are writing an article about air rage and fear of flying specially now that everyone is
afraid of terrorists attacks. I heard that you are an expert on the subject and for that
reason we would like to speak to you. Please tell me where I can call you or reply to this
address if you are willing to answer some of my questions. I hope you reply asap since our
deadline is tomorrow.
Best Regards,
S.C.
Ms. C.,
Please email your questions as soon as possible. It won't be possible to speak on the
phone today. Please send questions to me and my colleague Dr. James. If you haven't
already seen it, you may also be interested in our air rage Web site:
http://DrDriving.org/rages/index.htm
aloha, Diane Nahl
Dr. Diane Nahl, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Information and Computer Sciences, Library and Information Science Program
2550 The Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
www2.hawaii.edu/~nahl voice: 808-956-5809 FAX: 808-956-5835
dnahl@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 06:28:47 -1000
Subject: A question from San Francisco Bay Area. How do you deal with Tail-gaters?
Dear Dr. Driving
I have been rear-ended twice in 2 years and both times due to the fact that the person
behind me didn't leave enough distance to stop safely. I try to be a courteous and
responsible driver. Letting people merge in front of me when needed, leaving adeque
distance between me and the car in front of me (normally 4 or 5 car lengths when on the
highway, maybe a little more if I am traveling faster).
But this morning a perfectly normally looking business woman was tail-gating me in
medium traffic. I was traveling Northbound on Hwy 280 between Cupertino and Palo Alto. My
speed was about 70 MPH and there were times when this woman was so close to me, I looked
up in my rearview mirror and I COULDN'T SEE her head-lights. She continued to tail-gate me
for several miles even though there was no where for either of us to go considering the
traffic conditions. When she did manage to pass me on the right I took her license plate
down. I didn't switch lanes because I was keeping up with the car in front of me, just
keeping a safe distance back (about 4 or 5 car lengths) so I didn't consider myself going
too slow. I tried to keep up with her for a minute, then realized she was going over 85
MPH zipping in and out of traffic and driving very dangerously. She was tail-gating other
drivers and flashing her high beams at them. That is when I slowed down and called 911 to
report !
her to the highway patrol.
I am tired of getting all stressed out in traffic, and being constantly afraid that
some idiot like this woman (who is obviously so self centered and does not give a D*MN
about anyone but herself and her schedule) insist on driving like a maniac and putting
others at risk!!! She doesn't care that I have already been involved in 2 other accidents
due to the negligence of other drivers just like her. She does not care that I am
currently seeing a physical therapist 2 and 3 times a week to help me heal from a back
injury due to my last accident from just 2 months ago. And that her driving this morning
stressed me out so bad, my back is killing me.
To the white female driver of the gold 4 door sedan license plate 4MSM141. I really
hope the highway patrol pays you a visit at home tonight, and you wake up and realize how
you are driving before you take someone's life, or cause serious injury.
K. S.
Hi K.S.,
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with injuries and stress from aggressive drivers.
I would recommend that you change your driving style in order to protect yourself from
further incidents and more stress. For this you need to understand the psychology of the
aggressive driver. Please read our book--it will help you get a grip on this problem that
harrasses you. In the meantime, try driving in the slower lanes and avoid driving in the
leftmost lanes. Stress is much higher there. It worked for me. Give yourself extra time
for the trip--that in itself will reduce stress. Also, learn to be a facilitative or
supportive driver, rather than a defensive one. If you someone wanting to do something,
let them. Stay out of their way even if they are totally wrong in doing what they are
doing. This will protect you and allow you to retain control over all situations.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 09:31:31 -1000
Subject: Pictures
Dr. James,
I am working with a not for profit group in the automotive industry in creating a web
site. One issue they would like to touch on is "Road Rage." They want to let
their association members know about the fact that it exists and that it is something that
they have to stress with their employees.
I saw the picture of the person with the golf club hitting a car on your web site, and
was wondering if you had any jpegs of road rage that we could use on the web site. If so,
we would be more than happy to include a link to your site with any picture that we use.
We are near completion, so please let me know as soon as possible, so that I can run it
by my contact at the not for profit group.
Thank you.
K.H.
Hi K.H.,
The pictures on our site were copied from various other sites, they are not mine.
Nevertheless, if you want to copy them from my site and refer to that as the source,
you're welcome to do so. I never use pictures that I think might be commercially vlauable
or brand signatures. But I think it's OK to make use of others for non-profit
organizations.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 07:15:46 -1000
Subject: Teens and Road Rage
Dear Dr. James,
I visited your site several years ago and was impressed at how prolific you are. Now I
am there again and even more amazed at what you have amassed. So much so that today we are
adding a link to your site on our site--teendrivers.com. I invite you to visit us. Our
program is based on the premise that governments-- federal, state and local-- have bailed
out on teaching teens to drive safely and parents are left to to do it--without much
guidance.
As a separate issue, I am teaching a course for the City of Ft. Lauderdale Parks &
Recreation Department presented to teens about to enter the licensing process. The course
is called "Road Rules, Road Signs and Road Rage" (the three "Rs")
which is a "prep school" for the learners permit required here in Florida. In my
research I found www.stop-roadrage and the workbook that you were apparently involved in.
May I use this material in my class? Second question is--do you know of any appropriate
video products on road rage that I might use?
Thanks for your attention and keep up the great work.
D.T.
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 18:55:22 -1000
Subject: Hi!
Hi, am F and I am doing a group project on road rage and I need to find out what the
definition is. I was wondering what your definition of road rage is???
The definition is in our book (see below) and in this article:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/testimony.htm
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 03:48:50 -1000
Subject: Question about following too closely.
Dr. Driving,
I live in the state of Alabama and am having a hard time finding some information.
Maybe you could help? I was just in an accident today that the police made me believe was
my fault. Now, I am beginning to doubt that completely. I was stopped and accidentally
rolled back (I drive a five- speed) into the car behind me. I think he might have been a
total of one foot behind me. He was very ugly to me and there was not much damage to his
car at all (the front license tag was
cracked...that's it). It turns out that the policeman that responded, well his dad went
to school with the guy that I hit. Therefore, I do not think that I will be treated fairly
by that police officer...they were "buddying" around the whole time. I was just
curious if you know anything about any type of law about following too
closely in the state of Alabama. If you do, I would greatly appreciate the information.
Thank you very much.
Thanks,
G.H.
You'll need to research this in Alabama law code. Here are two sites that will help you
find the information you want:
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm
http://www.dot.state.al.us/
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 14:08:12 -1000
Subject: When you were offline...(via HumanClick)
Hello I am an rn who works in a trauma er in the Midwest. do you have any posters on
road rage that I may put up in the er waiting room? lmk, thanks, M Sorry we don't have
posters. But you're welcome to print one from our site. Try this page:
http://DrDriving.org/cartoons
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 07:19:13 -1000
Subject: An incident, and who can I call?
I had a lovely road rage incident with a man this morning. I was leaving a grocery
store, waiting to pull out onto the road to turn left, and he was behind me, honking for
me to go. It was ridiculous! There was SO much traffic and there was no way I was about to
pull out in front of cars because of his impatience. He then pulled around me into the
right turn lane, and then when it was clear to go, I pulled out, turning left, and he
pulled out also turning left, right in front of me! That could have easily caused an
accident. It was wrong for him to honk at me, and to pull into the right turn lane because
he was impatient, to make a left turn. So, I honked at him because he was pulling out in
front of me, and he could have hit me, and he shouted some lovely words I could not hear,
unfortunately(maybe I could have learned some new words? ha). He was in front of me for
awhile as we drove down the street, and then as he was abo! ut to make a turn, he had to
wait for cars. I thought, "Well, I should honk at HIM now so he can see how it feels
to be honked at when you know you can't pull out into traffic!" I thought, "No,
I'm better than that," and I patiently waited. He then gave me "the finger"
as he pulled away onto his street. (That was a lovely way to start my morning.) At one
point, I expected him to get out of his car, and come up to my window to yell at me;
that's how angry he was. I would have told him that I just had a car accident(I was the
passenger) a couple weeks ago, and I have a concussion from it, AND I had brain surgery a
few months ago, so I am NOT about to abide by his impatient honking, and pull out into
traffic, chancing another deadly encounter to my head. My head has been through enough the
past few months(so have my emotions-argh!). I took his plate # and I was wondering if I
can report it to a road rage hotline. I saw the phone # on a sign before, but I don't have
i! t. If someone could even send that guy a pamphlet on the consequences of road rage,
that would make me feel better. Please let me know your advice. Thank you.
Sincerely, R.A.
Hi R.A.,
I was sorry to hear about your unpleasant and dangerous road rage encounter. You can
report the incident to your local 911 call. At the same time I would want you to protect
yourself from further such dangerous incidents. I'm afraid that from what you described,
you are at risk for getting again into these bad exchanges. Your honking back and your
ruminating about the other driver's behavior are two key signs that you have road rage
yourself and that you do not know how to control your emotions behind the wheel--this is
true for the majority of drivers so you don't have to feel like you are especially bad! I
strongly recommend that
you read our book (see below) and see how you can get a grip on your emotions,
attitudes, and strategies as a driver and still feel good about it and safe without
stress. Please write back after you've read some of our book. Good luck!
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 10:31:46 -1000
Subject: aggressive driving enforcement
I'm interested in something I read about your department: "Due to an increase in
road violence in Toronto, police are starting to conduct curb-side psychology tests on
drivers. The idea came into practice after one incident led to gunfire and another driver
was almost beaten to death. The survey asks 10 questions about driving habits and contains
a personal rating sheet."
Found it here:
http://dailytitan.fullerton.edu/issues/spring_98/dti_04_15/news/parkingrage.html
Who can I contact to find out more about this. I'm a traffic psychologist at the
University of Hawaii and a road rage expert working with law enforcement (e.g. San Antonio
PD).
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 06:42:39 -1000
Subject: aggressive driving
We have many traffic enforcement programs in place however, neither I nor any other
officers have heard of this particular approach.
Sgt. O.
Toronto Police Services
Traffic Services
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 08:12:31 -1000
Subject: driving psychology
I am a student at Tyner Academy and I am doing a science fair project I was wondering
if you have any research on video games affecting motor skills?
J.C.
Hi, J.C.,
Try these:
http://www.apa.org/journals/psp/psp784772.html
http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~yian/frl/02video.htm
http://www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/vge.htm
http://www.muohio.edu/psybersite/cyberspace/onlinegames/video.htx
Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2001 12:15:41 -1000
Subject: When you were offline...(via HumanClick)
I enjoyed your page and will be back 4 more. Keep up the good work but 4 now ta ta.
Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2001 07:04:09 -1000
Subject: just a thought
I feel it would be beneficial to include an anger management course, in order to get
your drivers license. Upon expiration of your license, your will have to take a
"survey" like I just did. I f you pass....heres your new license. If you
fail....heres your date, time, and location for your mandatory "anger
management" refresher course. What do you think? please get back to me
M.W.
Bloomingdale, IL
Hi M.W.,
Yes, there should be some driving psychology in the driver ed curriculum, and licensing
could depend on additional tests that include driving psychology knowledge. I think
driving psychology is better than "anger management" and we explain this in our
book--hope you get the opportunity to read it:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 10:09:25 -1000
Subject: Safe Young Drivers
Dear Drs. Nahl and James:
I discovered your site recently on an Internet search. I was impressed by the volume of
material you display and I applaud your efforts to combat aggressive driving. I am the
author of two books on driving safety. My latest, called The Driving Challenge: Dare to be
Safer and Happier on the Road, would seem to be a competitor to yours -- although the
market (and the need) for such products is so large that there is plenty of room for
everyone.
My first book, called Safe Young Drivers: A Guide for Parents and Teens, was written to
help get families through this difficult period. Since you don't have a book of your own
on this topic, I wonder if you would be willing to offer a link to my site:
http://www.safeyoungdrivers.com/syd/index.html
Please visit at your earliest convenience. If you wish, I would be happy to send you a
sample copy.
Best of luck, and keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
P.B.
Hi P.B.,
thanks for offering to send us a copy of The Driving Challenge?we gratefully accept.
Our address is:
DrDriving
744 Pahumele Place
Kailua, HI 96734
I can't tell from the Table of Contents on your site what kind of instruction your
approach entails but will no doubt find out when I read your book. I agree that books on
the same subject reinforce each other rather than compete. It's amazing to me that there
aren't many more books for drivers (rather than for learners) given the magnitude of the
problem to society.
I've added your two books to DrDriving's listing of recommended books at:
http://DrDriving.org/books.html
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving.org
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 16:01:02 -1000
Subject: Aggressive Driving!
I am currently doing research on Aggressive Driving. In order to complete my thesis I
need an accurate and valid scale that will measure aggressive driving. I was looking for
The Larson Driver's Stress Profile, but had no luck. I noticed several articles written by
you on this topic. Do you have a specific scale that you use.
If so how could I get a copy?
Thank-you for your time.
Sincerely,
D.F.
All tests I know of are listed in this file:
http://DrDriving.orgests
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 09:08:43 -1000
Subject: Story idea on hold
Dr. James:
I wanted to touch base with you and let you know I haven't forgotten about doing an
interview with you about rage, road rage, etc. as we discussed earlier this year.
Just after we resolved a pesky technical (computer) problem, the events of Sept. 11
began to unfold. The mood here, as I would imagine it is in Hawaii, is somber and
hyper-alert to terrorists' acts, so I'm not sure right now is a good time to pursue an
interview with you on road rage, since the O.J. Simpson trial on the subject isn't getting
much play at all right now. I do want to keep the door open and follow through at some
point, but I think perhaps it would be better to wait until after the first of the year at
least.
Right now everyone seems pretty much glued to CNN or news magazines focusing on the
Middle East. Certainly the topic of road rage and your study is important and I definitely
want to proceed with the story at some point. But from what I can gather right now,
magazines and newspapers around the country are focusing on "lighter" subject
matter. Even the entertainment industry is reacting with "lighter" material at
this time. I'm certainly open to your suggestions and views.
Thank you for your time.
S.S.
Freelance writer
Odessa, FL
Thanks for the explanation, Ms. S. I fully understand. In terms of suggestions, you
might consider writing about the emotional mood of people everywhere. Dr. Nahl and I are
working on our new book Seeing Red, Feeling Blue and we've been reporting on a survey
about people's daily emotions.
You can see the results at:
http://DrDriving.org/red-blue.html
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 01:27:07 -1000
Subject: Road Rage
Dear Mr. James,
I am a ninth grade student at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio. I have
read several of your articles online and your other information. I am doing a science fair
project on road rage. I was inquiring about the test that you use to measure road rage.
Who was the author of the test? Was there any studies conducted regarding the sensitivity
and specificity of the test. And also the test reliability. I was wondering if you could
help me in my research project,
Thanking you,
N.J.
> inquiring about the test that you use to measure road rage. Who was the author of
the test?
Dr. Diane Nahl and Dr. Leon James--see our book (information below).
> Was there any studies conducted regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the
test. And also the test reliability. I was wondering if you could help me in my research
The sensitivity and relibability of the test is given in the statistical tables at:
http://DrDriving.org/surveys/survey2/interpretations.html
In general, the standard error is less than one percent. So it's very reliable and the
error margin is very small.
THE BOOK:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 11:29:36 -1000
Dr Driver,
I am an 8th grader who is going to Youth and Government in 3 months. We are required a
written proposal on what we think should be changed or added in the world. I decided on
writing a proposal on driving while talking on a phone. I feel that when you talk on a
phone while driving you are less concentrated on the road. You are not only putting your
life endangered but others as well. I am writing to you today just to point out my
suggestions. No, I don't think talking on the
phone while you are driving should be altogether banned, but to a certain extent. A
good way to cut down the risk of accidents would be that one could only use a handsfree
devise, or for emergency. If it is an emergency one should, if possible, pull over. This
would decrease all risks of danger. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to make a
point.
-Concerned-
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 02:58:46 -1000
Dear Mr. James,
I am a student at Northampton Community College taking a Psychology course . I am doing
my research paper on road rage and I would like to know if you could e-mail in more detail
what research you have done and any interesting facts that would help with my paper.
Thank You
S.M.
Hi, S.M.,
Try these two files for what you want:
http://DrDriving.org/articles/book_toc.htm
http://DrDriving.org/facts/
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 13:32:43 -1000
Subject: research re parking rage/territoriality
Hello,
I'm a researcher/producer for Great North Pacific, an independent television
documentary company in Vancouver, BC. Currently, I'm developing an hour-long program on
human territoriality - and I'm looking for some concrete everyday examples. I just read
the short article on your website regarding parking rage, and wondered if there are any
more specific examples of people acting on their need to protect their parking space. Or
would you be able to suggest a place that I might look? I would eventually like to find
real people who would perhaps be able to talk about what happened - although at the moment
I am just in need of
facts and information to present to the broadcaster.
Thank you very much any help you can provide,
Regards,
S.S.
Great North Pacific Media Ltd.
(604) 874-9313
Hi S.S.,
Besides the parking rage site we have, here are some quotes about parking taken from
our road rage book (reference at the end). Hope this helps.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
===============
Parking rage:
On April 2 [1998], a Cal State student almost died over a parking space.
The suspect, whose name is being withheld, became involved in a verbal argument with
another student, who was driving a Porsche, after parking his GMC truck. The driver of the
Porsche then stabbed the GMC owner in the torso four times as he walked away.
A new permissiveness frees more people to become openly enraged in a wide variety of
public places, sometimes in jest, sometimes in horrific mayhem.
=====
Nick Brennan, "Parking Rage Leads to Stabbing at CSUDH," Daily Titan
Interactive [online],
http://dailytitan.fullerton.edu/issues/spring_98/dti_04_15/news/parkingrage.html
========
Two researchers at Penn State university observed people in a shopping mall parking lot
as they were leaving.2 They noticed that departing drivers (both men and women) took
eleven seconds longer to vacate their spot when someone else was waiting for the space
than when no one was there. Even the implication of "pressure" by just waiting
can evoke resistance. Instead of hurrying up, they tend to take longer. This power-based
behavior is counterproductive because it takes longer for them to leave and engenders
hostile reactions. So why do people do it? They investigated the issue further by sending
in cars driven by a student who
honked at the departing driver. Drivers who were honked at took even longer to depart
than drivers who were not honked at. The researchers attribute this "territorial
behavior" to people's desire to proclaim rightful occupancy of a space. When this
right is questioned by a hostile honking motorist the tendency is to reaffirm rightful
ownership, and this is accomplished by taking even longer to vacate the place because the
power struggle is the focus.
R. Barry Buback, "Territorial Defense in Parking Lots: Retaliation Against
Waiting Drivers," Journal of Applied Social Psychology vol. 27, no. 9 (May
1997): 821.
=========
A 1999 survey comparing attitudes of Los Angeles drivers with those across the nation
shows that people vary in what they're willing to call "aggressive"
driving":
Drivers who do not consider these behaviors to be aggressive:
NATIONAL percent LOS ANGELES percent
Making obscene gestures 14 30
Passing on the shoulder 17 38
Failing to yield to merging traffic 17 42
Pulling into a parking space
and making others wait for you 20 33
Flashing high beams at other drivers 32 40
Waiting until the last minute to merge
(not waiting in line) 40 54
Speeding up to a yellow light 42 50
Changing lanes without signaling 42 47
Blocking the left (passing) lane 45 53
Honking the horn 45 53
Going at least 10 mph over speed limit 53 54
Driving too slow
(at least 10 mph below speed limit) 74 66
Tailgating 12 36
================
One of our students' favorite research activity is observing popular television
programs and taking notes on scenes that portray drivers behaving badly:
July 17, 1997, 6:17pm: The Simpsons (adult cartoon series):
First incident: The three kids were watching TV, the cat was trying to kill the mouse
and as the cat was running from the house, the cat runs onto the road and gets run over by
a speeding truck. The Simpson kids watching the show are laughing very hard at this scene.
Second incident: Homer Simpson is late for work again and speeds into a public parking
stall, almost hitting a pedestrian. Homer doesn't slow down, he just chases the pedestrian
until the person moves out of the way. Homer yelled at the pedestrian for being in the
way.
===================
Road rage is a feeling of hostility that is inherited through the culture of disrespect
condoned on highways. Motorists don't try to hide it because they are often proud of their
aggressiveness, so it's common for children to hear parents and other adults swearing and
demeaning other drivers:
While backing out of the parking space I heard a screech and felt a little bump when a
woman and little girl in a Camaro appeared in my rearview. We all got out and I
apologized, though I knew full well that she had been far away and had sped up to try to
out run me, instead of waiting for me to leave the space. I felt miserable when her little
girl started screaming at me, obviously repeating what she had heard her mother say about
me in the car to excuse her own dangerous behavior, "Stupid lady! She's a stupid lady
mommy! Why don't you watch where you're going stupid lady? You have to pay for this stupid
lady!"
Kids do whatever their parents do, they say the things they hear older kids and adults
saying, and their emotional reactions are shaped by mimicking adult feelings. Children
soak up the norms of behavior in their environment, and that's how the road rage tradition
is passed on to the next generation.
===============
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 11:23:23 -1000
Subject: up date time?
Hi there.....
I want to know when was the last time you up date the homepage? Thanks for the time.
Please email me back at lfcarch@go.com
sincerely,
C
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 11:12:35 -1000
Subject: Web page, Linup of cars....
hey,
The linup of cars is unusable (IE 5.50,4807.2300). Scroll down, and down, and menu's
appear and disappear...
>From what I see I should trade in my Economy car and buy a non economy car, all
your listings are "economy cars". Hope it is a browser specific problem...
S.M.
Tucson AZ
(Where Local and County government promotes Road Rage!)
(It's a great source of $$$!)
Just checked with both Netscape 6 and IE 5 and seems to be OK.
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 11:53:19 -1000
Do you have any pictures of road rage accidents that i can use for my drivers ed class?
I think our RoadRageous video would be suitable for this and related purposes for your
class. Please check it out at:
www.DrDriving.org/video
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 15:24:21 -1000
I would like to have the nyc permanent driving tests answer I was trying to get it but
I could because in the web didn’t say
it would be very nice of you if you would send a web where I can find
it more easily so I can study it
ps don’t think I also reading the manual book to know more, but they told
me
I would be able to pass the writing test with out difficulty
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 19:35:47 -1000
Subject: Re: research re parking rage/territoriality
Hello Leon,
All very helpful examples! Thank you so much for responding so quickly... I really
appreciate it.
aloha,
S
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 03:33:22 -1000
Subject: emergency vehicle accident prevention
DrDriving
I was wondering if you might happen to have any links to pages that discussed ideas
that have been thought about or used in preventing emergency vehicles from having
accidents. Thank you for your time.
J
Hi, J,
I keep all the info I gather on EMS issues in this file:
http://DrDriving.org/professionals/emergency.htm
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 07:06:32 -1000
Thank You Mr.James,
I really appreciate the addresses and book titles, they will come in handy for my
paper.
S.M.
P.S. I hope this terrible problem will be changed.
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 18:17:03 -1000
Subject: info on car accidents from failure to use blinker
Hello my name is J and I am doing a report on car blinkers. I was wondering if you had
any statistics on car accidents resulting from failure to use blinkers. please email me
back. thank you.
Sorry I don't, but will keep on looking.
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 05:19:42 -1000
Subject: suvs and driver psychology
Dear Dr. James:
I am a researcher in the Road Safety Directorate at Transport Canada, the Canadian
federal government's department of transportation. I am planning a study looking at driver
motivation(s) for purchasing and/or driving SUVs, as well as personality differences
between suv- vs. non-suv drivers. While the study is in the very early stages of planning
at the moment, I came across your web page, as well as one of your student's, Ms. Kristin
Ching, and figured you might be a good place to start.
I was wondering if you would be able to point me towards any relevant scientific
articles on the subject? While I have found many anecdotal reports and newspaper articles,
I have not been able to find much in the way of empirical research. Also, on Kristin's web
page there is a link to a survey, which she says examines the popularity of suvs.
Unfortunately, however, the link now leads nowhere. Would you happen to know who was/is
conducting this study?
Any help you could offer would be appreciated. I thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
C.R.B., Ph.D.
Ergonomics Division, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street, Tower C, 8th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi C.R-B.,
I do not know of published articles on SUV drivers. I generally put the references I
find in this file:
http://DrDriving.org/facts/references.htm
but I don't recall any on SUVs. My own survey on aggressive drivers does have some SUV
results:
http://DrDriving.org/surveys/survey2/interpretations.html
(do a Find on Page command for SUV as it may appear in several places in that large
file).
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 10:03:18 -1000
Thank you very much!
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 11:44:29 -1000
Subject: Target Risk 2
Dear Leon,
You may be interested in knowing that following the 1994 edition of Target Risk
(dealing with risk homeostasis:
http://psyc.queensu.ca/target/
) a second and
enlarged edition has come out in 2001. This is called "Target Risk 2" and is
published by PDE Publications, Toronto, Canada. There is also a Spanish translation:
"Riesgo Deseado".This is being distributed by Ascociacion Mexicana de Higiene y
Seguridad, Liro No. Col. Sta Maria la Ribera, C.P. 06400 Mexico, D.F., tel. +52 55 47 10
93.
With best wishes, G.W.
_________________________________
G.J.S.W., Ph.D.,
Emeritus Professor of Psychology,
Queen's University,
99 University Avenue,
Kingston, Ontario K7K 6N6, Canada.
Voice: +1-613-533-2889,
Fax: +1-613-533-2499
Home page: http://psyc.queensu.ca/faculty/wilde/wilde.html
Thanks G.. I've added it to the book list on my site, next to the first book I already
head placed there:
http://DrDriving.org/books.html
Good luck with it. I may want to use it for my small undergraduate seminar on driving
psychology issues--Psychology 459 here at the University of Hawaii. I'll need to ask PDE
to send me an examination copy.
Aloha,
Leon
PS
Do you know what happened to the Rothe book to which we both contributed a chapter last
year?
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 09:15:59 -1000
Hi,
I was wondering if you have done any reasearch on "how men and women give
directions differently." if you have, will you please write me back and tell me about
is or where to find it. Thank you very much, A.O.
Try these:
http://www.cs.tufts.edu/~mweinste/files/womenmen.txt
http://www.womanmotorist.com/MAINTENANCE/ccc-wheels-of-sexes-2k-01.shtml
http://www.firestone100.com/attractions/surveys/drive_answers.html
http://www.baptiststandard.com/2000/1_19/pages/hesaid.html
http://www.oatmealangels.com/documents/B-information_pages/may1999.html
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 08:10:27 -1000
Subject: request for permission for using your work
Dr James and Dr. Nahl:
I have been in the process of preparing a short "Safety Talk" for our
employees. The topic requested by their supervisor was " handling road rage
incidents". I came across your web site and would like to use your topic Tips for
truck drivers from DrDriving, How to deal with anger along with some other information and
cartoons and pictures from your web site. The copy would be presented on a printed handout
with appropriate acknowledgements. I have attached the safety talk handout for your
review. Thank you for your consideration.
<<Road Rage is not about the other guy.doc>>
I am the safety officer for the King County Solid Waste Division, Seattle Washington
and can be reached via e-mail at: jim.scarr@metrokc.gov
J.S.
Safety Officer
Solid Waste Division
World Class Safety Begins with You!
Yes, permission hereby granted for your use of the materials you sent as an attachment.
Looks very nice. Good luck with the program.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2001 17:36:57 -1000
Subject: Use of your material as reference for term paper
Hello,
My name is S.M. I am currently employed as a sergeant at the Sherwood Police Department
in Sherwood, Arkansas. I have 17 years of law
enforcement experience (13 at Sherwood) and I have found your sites extremely useful
and informative. I currently am taking a class on supervision and I am required to write a
term paper and have chosen the topic of road rage for my paper. I have purchased your
book, Road Rage and Aggressive Driving - Steering Clear of Highway Warfare, and also found
it very interesting and helpful. I am requesting to use materials off of your sites for my
paper, which is due in less than two weeks.
Thank you for your time and keep up the good work.
S
Hi S.M.,
thanks fo ryour kind words about my site. This is to give you permission to quote
materials for your project. Good luck!
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2001 06:10:25 -1000
Subject: Road Rage Project
Dear Mr. James,
Its N from Ohio. Thanks for your quick reply. I was wondering where can I pick up your
book for my project. I was also wondering if you could be my mentor for this research
project.
Thanking you,
N.J.
Hi, N.J.,
The book may be purchased at amazon.com or any other online or local bookstore:
Leon James, Ph.D. and Diane Nahl, Ph.D.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000)
ISBN 1-57392-846-1
I can be your mentor in a limited way. Perhaps I can comment on your project when you
ask for it.
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 10:01:01 -1000
hello,
I'm an engineering student at OSU working on a mini project of siren detection.
Currently I'm still searching for published stats on how many crashes occur per year
nation wide and where they occur. I'm writing to inquire if you could guide my search for
this information.
thanks,
C
I keep links to stats on crashes in these files:
http://DrDriving.org/surveys/survey2/interpretations.html
http://DrDriving.org/youth
http://DrDriving.org/facts/
Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 09:07:57 -1000
Subject: Road Rage Questions
Dear DrDriving:
Hello, my name is B.H. I am working on a PUBLIC POLICY PAPER on Road Rage treatments
and programs. I am wondering what programs/treatments are available to those who have Road
Rage. Any information you have on, or regarding to this topic would be both helpful, and
useful! Thank you so much for your time!
Sincerely,
B.H.
President/Creator Of TEEN WEB ONLINE
Hi, B.H.,
In addition to our book which we recommend for home study (see below), we also have the
RoadRageous Video Course. This course is prescribed by some traffic judges in several
states to drivers convicted of road rage or aggressive driving. The course can be taken
from a licensed driving school, or home study tape, or online at the site of AIP |