Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 04:28:09 -1000
Subject: Road Rage Research Project

Mr. James,

I have gone to your website numerous times and I am not able to load your the exact test that you used to measure road rage in your nationwide study. Can you please tell me the test that you used and the reliability and is it the same test that is in your book. Which one do you suggest that I use when testing my college students for my project?

Thanking you Sincerely,

Neethi

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 19:31:49 -1000
Subject: Re: Road Rage Research Project

> I have gone to your website numerous times and I am not able to load
> your the exact test that you used to measure road rage in your
> nationwide study. Can you please tell me the test that you used and
> the reliability and is it the same test that is in your book. Which
> one do you suggest that I use when testing my college students for my
> project? Thanking you Sincerely,

Hi, Neethi,

Here are the various surveys I put on the Web--see which one you're interested in:

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002
Subject: When you were offline...

I want to become an instructor for my four teenagers. I live in Ohio what do I have to do to teach my children and is this allowed by law. If i hold a permit to teach. Thanks Gordan

Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002
Subject: CAR RACING AND ROAD SAFETY

Dear Leon and Dianne,

I have recently found your websites relating to Road Rage and Aggressive Driving, which I found very interesting. I wonder if you have ever considered the possible impact of watching motor car racing events on driving behaviour or attitudes.

I have found considerable anecdotal evidence that watching car racing leads to dramatic short term changes in driver behaviour (e.g. more aggressive driving), but no hard evidence on this. It may also lead to long term attitudes that value aggressive driving. There is also the important issue of the combination of alcohol sponsorship and advertising with car racing - something that seems to be sending completely the wrong message about road safety. As well, racing events held on public roads are often associated with drivers playing "boy racer" around the circuit. I am searching for any research or information on the road safety messages and impacts of car racing. I have recently presented a paper at a Road Safety Conference on the impacts of the GMC400 V8 Supercar race in Canberra (attached).

I would be very grateful if you could provide any information/references (or leads) that you may have on links between road safety and car racing (e.g. has there ever been any consideration of this issue when questions of sponsorship of car events by road safety organisations in the US have been mooted?)

Do you have any ideas on how such a topic might be usefully investigated?

Best wishes,

Paul

Dr Paul Tranter
Senior Lecturer
School of Geography & Oceanography
University College
University of New South Wales
Australian Defense Force Academy

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: CAR RACING AND ROAD SAFETY

> I am searching for any research or information on the road safety messages
> and impacts of car racing. I have recently presented a paper at a Road
> Safety Conference on the impacts of the GMC400 V8 Supercar race in Canberra
> (attached).

Dr Paul Tranter,

Thanks for sending the article. Unfortunately I do not have anything on this topic. I'll keep you in mind if anything turns up in the future. I think this would be quite difficult research to accomplish given all the variables that are active in the situation.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: CAR RACING AND ROAD SAFETY

Thanks Leon,

Yes, it is a complex topic. I'm beginning to understand why there might be so little research on the topic.

Cheers

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002
Subject: training video

> Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 23:16:02 -1000
Subject: When you were offline...

> I want to become an instructor for my four teenagers. I live in Ohio
> what do I have to do to teach my children and is this allowed by law.
> If i hold a permit to teach. Thanks Gordan Thomas

Hi Gordan Thomas,

My best recommendation is for you to have them complete our RoadRageous Video Course either online or by purchasing the video and Workbook. I'm copying Mr. Chris Huffman, of AIPS, who will email regarding the details on how to obtain the video course.  I would also recommend our book--excellent for your teenagers:

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, 25 Jan 2002
Subject: A Magazine's Inquiry

Dear Dr. Driving:

The publisher read over your story and loved it. Here's the one we were thinking about reprinting with your permission and a mention of your site and what you do. It's not formatted yet or edited, granted, but the text from your site follows.

Thank you!

Sarah

Boat Rage Feature

A "Very Special" Ugly Yachtsman Installment!!!!

Did you ever notice that when your favorite show comes out with something "very special" that it's something "socially relevant" and may not even be entertaining? Well, this is my "public service" assault on one of today's most pressing problems.   BOOOOOAAAAAAAATTTTT RAGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!  Yes, BOAT RAGE is a growing problem on our waterways and in our sea-lanes.

Some may think that this is a new plague but my best information tracks this back to the dawn of time. Phlegm the Syphilitic versus Gilbert the Great? Boat Rage. Juttland? Boat Rage. Monitor and Merrimac? Boat Rage. What if the crew of the BISMARK would've just done the "yachting wave"? Many Cold War incidents were strict cases of Boat Rage. When man first ventured out to sea for "pleasure" one would've thought that they would've left Boat Rage to the professional sailors and warriors but it appears to also be a part of our recreational boating phenomena. How does one recognize the warning signs?

It has been my observation that it almost always begins with the actions of another boater. This is not limited to power. It can be the unsuspecting, unlighted, kayakers crossing your bow as you turn into your marina at dusk.

You boil the water behind you while backing down, straight-arm a piling, and terrify other boat owners. They've seen you in action before and have long memories.

Your last vision of the kayakers was their "Save the Whale" decal fading off into darkness as they move on knowing they've left the sea a safer place for eels and barnacles. They may even sniff and huff a little if they go through the cloud of diesel smoke you've emitted as you have dared your diesel to eat itself in order to save their lives.

What is that feeling?  You have an urge!

You are awash in the desire to take up your flare gun with your good arm (the one you straight-armed the piling with does not bend anymore) and light the way for these noble adventurers. BOAT RAGE!!!! Is that why, when you buy a new flare gun, that they give you a "white" shell to practice with? Has anyone EVER shot their "white" shell? If you were to shoot a red flare you'd be violating a CG regulation probably but you can "practice" with the "white" shell. "Yes, the white shell will do......... yes it will......" By then you've regained some of your composure and hopefully some common sense and abandoned these urges as passing whims. Communications adds a new dimension to BOAT RAGE. Aggression can be exercised but violence minimized as you can "QUICK!", hide the microphone after you've lamb-basted someone's parentage and boat choice, over channel 9, because of their tsunami wake. I recently found that I could contact a vessel, in more than enough time, for them to turn around and witness the carnage that they had left behind in their mountainous wake. I briefly discussed the "white" flare shell with them and quickly signed off. Even though they could not tell which of the metronome-like "boats with sticks" we were, I felt better!

This brings us to one of the founding theories of BOAT RAGE. It is affectionately known as The Ugly Yachtsman's Theory on Surprise Encounters. A surprise encounter can be anything from turning around and seeing "TUNA MARU" in large letters right behind you, a wake so large you can almost hear the theme song from Hawaii Five-Oh. The "white" flare Dan'o!

There are three phases to this theory.

Phase I: Phase I of the Surprise Encounter is after whatever sensory stimuli has startled you, you have to immediate urge to say or do something. This is just the first thing that popped into your mind.

Phase II: Phase II is what you actually did, or said, in response to this chance encounter.

Phase III: Phase III is the last and final phase. This phase usually takes place from minutes to months after the encounter and is generally characterized by thinking about all the snappy things you should've said, or done, in place of what you did for Phase II.

Now, if Phase I merges with Phase II in a millisecond and Phase III involves remorse then you are probably behind bars.  If Phase I is "nothing", Phase II is "nothing" and Phase III is like-wise, then you are least likely to practice BOAT RAGE and most likely to become a victim of it. This is the safest posture really.  I think most of us fall somewhere in the middle. I will illustrate this theory with a recent event.

We are headed out of Fisher's Island Sound into Block Island Sound. This is our FIRST trip to Block Island, Rhode Island. We might as well have set out to cross the Atlantic as this trip was a major milestone. We were in company with another boat but we had cleared Watch Hill Passage first. We were moving out smartly on a stiff breeze into open water. Listen to me "Talk the Talk"!

Though we were in open water I notice a beautiful 40-some foot sailboat coming up my starboard side. He's going to pass within a boat length of us and cross our bow but he has speed, I can fall off to port if need be, so I hold my course and speed and watch him overtake me and marvel at the beauty of this gray-hulled boat. We are within t-shirt reading range and almost a beam of each other when I yell over to him "You have a beautiful boat!"

Standby for Phase I. The bronze tanned, khaki-shorted polo-shirted yachty snapped back "Are you going to cross my bow?"

Phase I I think to myself : "Are you smokin' Crack?" That was pretty good but my actual Phase II response was â^À¦.   "NO!"

Somewhat annoyed with me now, the CEO larvae then responded something to the effect "read  RULE 13!!" "Don't you have the rules!"  Rule 13? Chapter 11? 5th floor?  Rules? He came into MY piece of ocean and wants to talk RULES?  To this blast, my Phase I initial response is unprintable.

My actual response was "Let's talk about it on Block Island!" So much for Phase II.  Oh that was good. Old guys fighting. Paints a real picture! His course was more northerly so I figure he went on to Newport. My loss I guess. I could've learned a lot from him.

Now, my Phase III responses read like "My rule book is down below under my carry permit!" or the simple New York-style response "I got your rule buddy!"  (complete with hand gesture) Even the pseudo foreign response "Parlez-vous BITE ME?" could've done the trick.

· BOAT RAGE and commercial vessels.

If you see a brightly colored vessel, usually diesel powered, with a name like "Molly Theresa IX", even money has it that this is a "Lobsterman".  Seeing these mariners zig-zag across the channel dropping their pots is a common sight in many waterways. Even though I have probably cost them as much money as they have cost me, these are the LAST people I would ever want to put a dose of BOAT RAGE on. I have heard rumors that they are frequently armed. A lobsterman being armed is obviously in response to the ever-present threat of a "lobster insurrection" that could take place between the pot and dock. These professional mariners could be a welcome sight in a crisis and have helped more than one "pleasure craft" in distress.

The FERRY BOAT is another story. These ships come in many shapes and sizes.

Their courtesy seems to vary widely also. I generally hug the side of the channel when I am unfortunate enough to do a "Rules of the Road Dance" with one. The multi-hulled gas turbine screamers are my biggest fear especially if they have a name like "MISS BARDOL" or "WIDOW MAKER II". Our worst encounter was with one of the regular ferries that come and go continuously from New London. Inbound, hugging the edge of the channel, we watched one ferry come up on us for a good two miles. Being under sail, highly visible, and on the opposite side of the channel from the direction this ferry needed to turn, I felt reasonably secure. His need to run right up behind us concerned me. His not altering course to go around us in the wide channel coupled with his melodic blasting of the "Danger Signal" on his whistle was quite unsettling.

"Hey BillyBob, watch these people jump around like ants when I get real close and blows da horn a bunch!" Two boat lengths to the right of us the channel disappears into rocks. Once I heard the Danger Signal all bets were off. I lit off the diesel, jibbed violently to the left and cut right across his bow at "All Ahead Mother#&$@$&*^!" I never looked back. No Phase I, II or III.

The Coast Guard said they'd have a word with the Ferry boat skipper.

BOAT RAGE can also be levied against crew. If the crew succumbs to BOAT RAGE it is called "mutiny" though. It can get real tricky here. I am not even going to "go there" in this discussion, as instances of BOAT RAGE with crew are stories unto themselves.

See DrDriving's page on Boat Rage

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002
Subject: Driving School Association of Louisiana Convention.

Dr Driving,

We would like help and information about your course for our convention. Attached is a list of cost for ads or sponsorship.

Thanks

Glenda
Southwest Safety Training, Inc

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002
Subject: What can we do to prevent and stop road rage?

Dear Dr. Driving,

Hello! I am a student at Galloway Township Middle School and I am studying how my partner, Ed, and I can prevent road rage. We have gone to your web site talking about road rage, but we need your help and advice. I was hoping you could help us get information on how to prevent and stop road rage in our neighborhood. We would appreciate your help.

Sincerely,
David and Eddie

Date: Fri, 25 Jan
Subject: Re: What can we do to prevent and stop road rage?

> Hello! I am a student at Galloway Township Middle School and I am
> studying how my partner, Ed, and I can prevent road rage. We have gone
> to your web site talking about road rage, but we need your help and
> advice. I was hoping you could help us get information on how to
> prevent and stop road rage in our neighborhood. We would appreciate
> your help.

Hi, David and Eddie,

I recommend you read our book--that would be the best way to start:

+++++++++
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, 24 Jan 2002
Subject: seat belts in semis with children?

Hi, nice story about the lady and the flat in the cold weather.

What I can't seem to find is any laws about a 3rd passenger in the semi cab. If there's only 2 seats with belts......then is the a law about ppl. riding in the sleeping area? If there's not, the there should be.

I know a guy who drags his wife and kid across the country week after week. And, I'm just wondering if it is against the law to have a 3rd person in the truck??

I have a friend whos hubby is a truck driver. They used to take the whole family...(3 kids) out on the road.  To me, that's just crazy!  How many times have you heard of a 3rd passenger getting thrown throuhg the windshield from a semi?

Thank you, T

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002
Subject: a concerned high school student

Hello I just read that "It is a well known that the traditional driver's ed. has remained inadequate as the means for teaching full competence and knowledge of safety, and only satisfies the bare minimum for getting driver's licenses into the hands of millions of young people.

Even less attention is given to teaching emotional intelligence skills.  The result is that most drivers are ill-prepared to manage their intense emotions behind the wheel. In my opinion, the New Driver's Ed should be taught K-12 for Emotional Intelligence Skills on the road:" which I believe is by Dr. Leon James, Professor of Psychology at the University of Hawaii.

I thought that it would interest you to know that I am 15 years old and currently taking a drivers education class at my high school. In this class we are required to do not only do "the bare minimum for getting driver's licenses" but to also complete many assignments that teach us more about driving and what responsibilities comes with our licenses.

That is how I came to reading what is pasted above, I had an assignment to get with a partner and come up with a two minute presentation on how emotions effect your driving. I thought that the best known emotional effect on driving was road rage so I decided that that is what I would do my presentation on. I thought that you may want a young persons opinion on your thoughts and theories. So here they are: while I agree on your theory that children learn bad habits (including road rage) from their parents, I disagree with what you said about TV and media has the same effect. I myself enjoy watching TV and videos and I do see many shows or videos in which road rage is depicted but I do not think that it has much effect on how I drive. Recently I bought the movie The Fast and the Furious I have watched it a few times and thought that the cars are neat and the racing looks cool, but because of this I am not going to take out my mom's Grand Prix and race one of my friends. I did also agree with you on that we should have more than the "bare minimum" and I think that at my school they are doing a pretty good job of providing that education on emotional intelligence skills.

Well I have to go now and finish my homework. Thank you for all of the information you have on your web sites they will help a lot.

Thank you,
Amber

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: a concerned high school student

Thanks for your comments, Amber. I would recommend that you really observe yourself and your friends while driving. You will notice that some of the driver's behaviors are aggressive or risky such as following too close, driving above the speed limit, cursing, yelling, looking away from the road, etc. These are all dangerous habits we acquire partly by watching TV drivers do these things. Go to this place, and read what my students have observed about TV scenes and drivers:

Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
Subject: Affordable Safety Program

Hi Doc,

My name is Pete Schmedtje and I work with Safety Alert Network, Inc.,  www.safetyalert.com, as the Marketing Director. I have been reading articles on bus safety and the GPS technology and thought to myself that this would be a perfect opportunity to let you, the general public and others make an evaluation on this expensive technology. After reading numerous articles, I asked myself: For an average of $895 per bus and $25 a month to access data over the internet, is that data truely giving us the full information that we need on that driver FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR KIDS? Let me explain with one or two scenarios:

- Is that driver that was going 63 mph on I-10 in a construction zone? Or better yet, is he speeding 35 mph in a school zone?
- Does that same driver have other risk taking characteristics such as improper lane changes, improper parking, or worst of all tailgating?
- Does that bus have a faulty tailight, turn signal or is the back left tire going flat?
- Are the passengers of that bus also acting in a safe manner(standing up, littering, making hand gestures, etc.)

I am in no fashion saying that GPS is bad technology for this application. Actually, I think that it is fascinating to see how far we have excelled over the years to protect our kids and making the roads safer with the ongoing task of lowering accident rates. With cell phones ever so present, a short photographic memory and a very cost effective internet service, we can, and will, go a long way. Our system solicits observations from the general public to provide timely reports on vehicle, passenger and driver performance. Thank you for your response.

Sincerely,
Pete
Marketing Director
Safety Alert Network, Inc.

Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
Subject: interview question

Hi Diane,

Below you will find our answers to your two questions, as well as some selections from our book. We hope you can take a look at our two chapters in the book that are relevant directly to your query--one on teen driving and one on children and road rage.

Aloha,
Leon James
Diane Nahl
DrDriving.org

+++++++++++++

"Why do teenagers often fail to yield and tailgate?"

Teenagers by definition are inexperienced drivers. It takes several years of driving to become good at it. The driver has a threefold self which covers feelings-attitudes, thoughts-judgments, and motor actions. All three domains of habits determine in combination how we actually drive.

Teenagers are low on all three types of skills. In terms of attitudes-feelings-emotions, they have less self-control over their emotions and impulses. In terms of thoughts-judgment, they make mistakes, they do not recognize their errors, they misattribute the causes of road events--typically remaining blind to their own contribution or mistakes in near-misses or crashes. In terms of sensory-motor behaviors, they lack skills in vehicle management under emergency conditions or bad weather. As a result of these lower skills in all three areas of the driver's personality, they get into more crashes.

=================

"When it comes to aggressive driving and rage, how does the way parents drive affect how their children will drive when they get older?"

See the passages quoted below. We remind parents that driver ed begins in childhood when toddlers get driven around by parents and other adults. The backseat of the car is a road rage nursery. We also give some activities parents can do with children in the car.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

	Enter your search terms
	Web DrDriving.org

QUOTING FROM THE BOOK:

Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare
(Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2000) ISBN 1-57392-846-1

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHAPTER 7: CHILDREN AND ROAD RAGE

Road Rage Nursery

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.

The following dialog took place in a car between a middle aged man and his two very young children during a conflict over a parking space with two young men in another car. The father gave the young men the finger and yelled an obscenity. One of the young men got out of the car and ran towards the car with the kids. One of the most shocking parts of the transcript is this: 

Little boy: Look Daddy, one of the guys in the green car is running towards us!

Father: They can't do anything to us. Lock your door. Let's just get out of here.

Little boy: No, let's get them first!

Little girl: Get them Daddy, get them!

Little boy: Run him down Daddy! Faster Daddy, c'mon get him!

The two children aged 5 and 3 were caught-up in the hostility that their father generated when he chose to assume a comic book persona to aggressively compete for a parking space. He modeled this combative persona for his children, teaching them how to deal with challenges on the road: with opportunism, hostility, and threats of violence. Years before they get behind the wheel of a car, children absorb and imitate the values of their parents and other authority figures. Clearly, we need to focus attention on how children learn to interact with drivers on the road while they're still very young passengers.

How can drivers deal with uncontrollable kids? Is this the one area where drivers need more control and can't get it? We need to help children develop emotional intelligence as future drivers by modeling appropriate behaviors in the car, and holding them responsible for being safe passengers. Show them what kind of passenger behavior you value and what the community values, and reward them for learning it and practicing it.

Children can be taught to learn good passenger skills, and they will love it. All it takes is rewarding them for doing what you want, instead of merely punishing them for doing what you don't like. For example, if they won't wear seat belts, don't leave unless they are buckled in, remove a privilege, or give them something they want for wearing the belt for the entire trip. Give them something nice after each successful trip, but don't give it to them when they break the rule. Give them something small but rewarding like positive comments about their good behavior, some special time alone with you, a colorful sticker, a small notebook or purse, a certain privilege, a special food, time on the computer, or special TV time. Rewarding kids for becoming good passengers is a useful idea because it helps them learn to value doing a good job as a passenger.

The power of this strategy is in frequent but small rewards that help shape the child's behavior into a desire to do a good job of being the best possible passenger. Without backseat management techniques driving kids is a major headache because your emotional territory is constantly breached:

Verbal Rewards For Good Passengers

Children need lots of frequent positive reinforcement for doing the right thing inside the car. The rewards can include charts of their progress, badges, certificates and awards of merit for safe riding, verbal compliments and commendations, and earned privileges. Some ideas for verbal rewards include:

1. "Thank you for being a very good passenger today."

2. "I was so glad that you helped me concentrate on where I was going."

3. "You wore your seatbelt the entire trip so I felt you were safe."

4. "You helped us have a peaceful ride because you didn't fight with your brother in the car today."

5. "You were very good, ignoring the kids in that other car who were jumping around and yelling at you."

6. "Thank you for telling the other kids to be quiet while we were driving to the market. You really helped them calm down and be safe in the car."

7. "Thank you for reminding us to wear our seatbelts. I'm glad you care about us being safe in the car."

8. "I was so happy that you didn't stand up while the car was moving today."

9. "I was so proud of you today for teaching your friend how to behave and be safe in the car."

10. "You did a good job of cleaning up your mess in the car, thanks I really appreciate it."

Affirming statements like these give kids messages about what adults value, and since they want to please their parents, they will adopt these values. Parents can help children internalize these values by acknowledging good passenger conduct. Kids need acknowledgment for being good in any situation, but moving vehicles are extremely perilous environments, where it's of the utmost importance that kids learn to become mindful riders. Acknowledging their contribution to a successful driving trip will instill in them a desire to become safe and kind drivers later in life. In addition, they will become more discerning of others' driving behavior and be able to decide when not to ride with someone who is rash.

From our book -- see here.

Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
Subject: Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Article

Dr. James;

I am a Sergeant with the Allegheny County Police Department in Pennsylvania. I have been asked by my department to make 2 one hour presentations at our local Community College on the subject of Road Rage.

In my searches of the internet I have come across your article on the subject and found it most informative. I would like your permission to use parts of the article in my presentation. Particularly the section titled, Anatomy of an Epic Road Rage Tragedy taken from a Court TV broadcast. I assure you that this is not a for profit presentation, but a public service put on by my police department. I would give clear credit to you as Arthur of the article.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely Yours,
Sergeant David M.
Allegheny County Police Department

Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
Subject: Request to Interview

Dear Dr.Nahl:

My name is Joyce A. Hunter and I am a retired 30 year veteran from Delta Air Lines.  After my retirement, I entered into a doctoral program at Argosy University to receive a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration-Marketing).

Currently, my status is ABD and I am beginning to work on my dissertation which is investigating and researching the new phenomena "Air Rage".

My dissertation will focus on "Has the perception of the overall decline in "customer service" within the airline industry contributed to the increase in "Air Rage" incidents and can this perception be reversed?

I would like very much to interview one of the experts in this field, like yourself, as part of my dissertation. Will you advise me if this could be possible?

Thank You,
Joyce A.

Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Article

Yes, you have my permission Sergeant S. Maybe one day you might explore our RoadRageous Video that traffic judges assign to aggressive driving violators in several states. It's also used for law enforcement training. The video also comes in 15-min. segments you can order separately. Information on law enforcement use and the video segments can be found in these two files:

Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
Subject: PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY - CAIRNS AUSTRALIA

Dear Drs James & Nahl

ROAD RAGE AS A TOPIC FOR HONOURS PROGRAM 2002 JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY - CAIRNS CAMPUS

I am a Honours student studying Bachelor of Psychology at James Cook University - Cairns Campus and I wish to do my Thesis on ROAD RAGE and how personality, gender differences and risk taking behaviours affect the incidence of road rage.

I have become interested in this topic over the past 18 months when I first read your article published in 1998 which mentions your topic of interest and I have included this information into assignment for Social Psychology.

I would be grateful for any information on related topics, related literature(besides yours) and I would like to keep the information lines open as I may be able to give you some perspective on the incidence of road rage and how it affects Australians.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely
Leanne

Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002
Subject: TEE cards

> Please send information on tee cards, and thanks so much for all of your research and insight!!!!

Thanks. At this point the TEE cards have not been produced for sale. However, if you want them for personal use we can arrange for permission for you to copy them off the Web. Just let me know what you have in mind. Are you familiar with our book?

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002
Subject: Re: aggressive driving, UW student inquiring!

Hi, Lindsay, One way to handle it is to look up deviant behavior definitions in textbooks (many of them do it, some specialize in just this topic--consult your librarian). Also: books by sociologists on "rage" and "violence." Then, see how the definitions apply to road rage.

For definitions on road rage, you can quote our book (see below) and Web site articles, e.g., my congressional testimony where I define road rage:

Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002
Subject: article questions

I am researching an article for the NY Times on the driver training law enforcement officers receive....essentially are they better (or better trained) than the average citizen.

Clearly, looking at the minimal driving instruction (just geared to pass a test) the average citizen gets, police would HAVE to be better trained!

But I don't find uniform standards the more I look into this subject. Is there any Federal oversight?

Can you comment on the state of police driver training in the US......what are your observations on how it works........what would be better?

Thanks,

George, Connecticut.

Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: article questions

> enforcement officers receive....essentially are they better (or better
> trained) than the average citizen.
> Clearly, looking at the minimal driving instruction (just geared to pass a
> test) the average citizen gets, police would HAVE to be better trained!
> But I don't find uniform standards the more I look into this subject. Is
> there any Federal oversight?
> Can you comment on the state of police driver training in the US......what
> are your observations on how it works........what would be better?

Hi George, Connecticut,

Here are a few samples of what they are offering in terms of driver training for police:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/pursemannoun.htm

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/pursemannoun.htm

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/pursemannoun.htm

http://members.aol.com/ohprabbit/ 

http://www.evoc.org/

http://www.osuokc.edu/pdtc/

In terms of training of law enforcement for aggressive driving, AIPS has been using our RoadRageous Video Course, for which I wrote a law enforcement component. It is being used for training state troopers and military personnel as well. Some of this activity is described in these two files on my site:

Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: One little question ...

On Fri, 1 Feb 2002, Deb wrote:

> Dr. James, can you explain to our readers how you got to that point?

Hi, Deb,

How I got to the point of being a rushing maniac is the similar to how 85% of all drivers get to be aggressive, whether rushing maniacs, or tailgaters, or left lane bandits (driving the speed limit in the passing lane and not moving over), or red light runners, and the emotional use of the gas pedal (which makes our foreign oil dependence much worse than it needs to be if we all used our gas pedal rationally). And we all get to be aggressive because we learn it from our parents and TV while we are still children and teenagers. Then when we start driving at age 16 we automatically drive in the same way that we've been exposed to for all those years. We call the backseat of the car "the road rage nursery."

Then I was confronted by my passenger, who is my wife Dr. Diane Nahl, co-author of our Rad Rage book. She courageously kept demanding her rights as a passenger, which is that the driver take responsibility for the passenger's safety and feelings. After several years of battling her demands, I finally started recgonizing the legitimacy of her demand. I then became a reformed driver--but it took several years for a total driving personality makeover. I carried a tape recorder and spoke my thoughts out loud, then listened to the tape later. This way I came to realize I was a rushing maniac and an aggressive driver. Then I had to work on one little skill at a time, for each trip, and I kept a Driving Diary for years in which I recorded details about myself behind the wheel:

When did I get mad? How long did I stay mad? What kind of risks was I taking regularly? What happens when I leave home earlier? etc.

Today I can honestly say that I enjoy traffic! I look for opportunities to be a supportive driver, which is the opposite of the aggressive driver. I always let other cars into my lane, I drive with other drivers' comfort and convenience in mind, not just the passengers. I feel responsible for the comfort and safety of others. I enjoy it. It reduces stress and increases safety for everyone. I also save gas.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

P.S. What publication is this for, Men's Health?

Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002
Subject: Interested Driving Educator

Hello,

I am a driver education instructor (21 years) in a high school and have recently started teaching an advanced driver education course that I designed for students with a driver's license. I am still in the process of gathering information and came upon your website. I find it most interesting and helpful. I would like to find out more about the instructional and performative services and consultation mentioned in the web site. I would be interested in both traditional and online media

I have ordered "Road Rage and Aggressive Driving" and look forward to reviewing that, as well as any other information you have.

Please contact me regarding other services and products.

Thank you,

Debbi

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002
Subject: photo enforcement for speeders

Dr. James,

What do you think of this subject? I would support it if it was to catch people going 15 to 20 mph over the speed limit. But for going one to 10 mph over the speed limit? Lets get real here. Now some people are going to be watching their speedometers to make sure they don't go over the speed limit, hence, will be causing more accidents because they are not keeping their eyes on the road. Also, don't you need to increase your speed while passing a car letting you go into the next lane provided there are no cars in front of you?

Brandon

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002
Subject: RE: Road Rage Article Interview

Hello Dr. James:

The editor of Westworld Is very pleased with the road rage article and has allocated some additional space. And so I would just like to get another comment from you on the fact that although studies are showing most drivers know aggressive driving is a serious problem, they continue to do it. Why?

Thanks again. Hope all is well in Hawaii.

Cheers,
Lawrence

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: photo enforcement for speeders

I agree with you, Mr. S. Still, drivers can train themselves to control their speed, but it takes many hours, as I have discovered. Try it, you'll see.

Aloha,
Dr.James

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002
Subject: RE: Road Rage Article Interview

On Mon, 4 Feb 2002, Lawrence wrote:

> The editor of Westworld Is very pleased with the road rage article and has
> allocated some additional space. And so I would just like to get another
> comment from you on the fact that although studies are showing most drivers
> know aggressive driving is a serious problem, they continue to do it. Why?

Mr. Herzog,

In our book we discuss the "awareness gap" and the "definition gap" to explain this. The awareness gap refers to the fact that most aggressive drivers are not aware that they drive aggressively. They believe that others around them drive aggressively, but they do not. Example: When asked what percentage of times they drive aggressively, they say about 45% of the time. When asked What percent of drivers are aggressive on the road, they say 85%. There is thus a 40% gap, indicating the extent to which people are not aware they drive aggressively.

The definition gap refers to the fact that the majority of drivers do not define as aggressive driving some of the behaviors they engage in, even though aggressive driving laws designate these behaviors as aggressive driving. Example--see this Table from our book on the percentage of drivers who do NOT consider these behaviors as aggressive:

Making obscene gestures 14 30

Passing on the shoulder 17 38

Failing to yield to merging traffic 17 42

Flashing high beams at other drivers 32 40

Speeding up to a yellow light 42 50

Changing lanes without signaling 42 47

Blocking the left (passing) lane 45 53

(first number applies to National sample; second number to Los Angeles only)

These numbers show the definition gap since all these behaviors are considered aggressive driving by law enforcement, but not so by these drivers.

Hope this is what you wanted.

Aloha,
Leon James

Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002
Subject: RE: Road Rage Article Interview

Thank you very kindly, Dr. James. This is very valuable information for the article and I am grateful for you assistance once again.

Regards,
Lawrence

Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002
Subject: A study?

Dear Dr. Nahl and Dr. James,

I'm reviewing the Road Rage chapter for little things, and came across some statistics, specifically:

Research shows the average commute in the United States is 32 minutes.  Driving in the fast lane generally saves about 10 percent of that time. So, the average commuter who rushes, gets to his destination only 3 or 4 minutes ahead of the slower driver. Don^Òt believe it? Time yourself and see.

Is it possible to get a copy of the study faxed? Or if you could give me a citation, that would be helpful.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,
Deb

Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002
Subject: speed limits and speeding

Dear Professor James:

I was the auto editor at Consumer Reports for 29 years until my retirement in 1999. Since then, I have been working on a book on driving^Ë^Ëspecifically, driving fast and assertively, but competently and courteously.

Some months ago, you were quoted in a newspaper story (alas, I didn¹t save the clipping, though I made a note of your comment). You estimated that 9 out of 10 American drivers exceed the speed limit. I was hoping to discuss that with you.

First, of course, I¹d like to confirm that you did indeed make that statement. I have no doubt that it¹s true, at least from my own experience in the New York metro area, but I¹m curious whether your estimate was intuitive or based on research. Also, do those 9 out of 10 drivers exceed the limit occasionally or regularly? And can you give me any insight into how state and federal statistics are managing to cover up this widespread flouting of the law? The compliance figures issued by various agencies seem quite incredible.

If you can spare the time, please e-mail me to let me know when I could conveniently telephone you. Or if you prefer, you can reach me at 914 693-0882. I¹m working from home, so you may call as late as about 11 pm eastern time. If I quote you, I¹ll clear the wording with you before I submit it for publication.

Thanks for your consideration.

Alex

Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002
Subject: When you were offline...

I sure wish they'd look at this issue. Hell, I had a car come up extremely fast from way down the road and I was coming to a red stop light. They tried to get around me, but I sped up so they wouldn't hit my car and slowed down to let them know there was a light there. They finally got out of the no-pass yellow left lane and pulled back into the lane behind me finally turning right. What can one do if a person was to plow into the back of another's car and the idiots had no insurance? Press criminal charges? My mom had that happen to her, too. But she wasn't so lucky. An idiot woman did hit her car. Luckily, mine's never been hit yet. Only in the parking lot parked and when I got back to my car (this was long before today) its side was scraped and $300 worth damage and the culprit was gone. They should make it a high felony-road rage. It kills children, families, and innocent pedestrians. When will this country ever learn to protect the victims and not the criminals. I'm not

a fanatic, I'm just scared that one day it'll all catch up and hurt someone. How about you? Not just for me, but for other people's safety sake.

Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: speed limits and speeding

Mr. M.,

My observations were based on my own driving history over the years: If I drive at precisely the speed limit what percent of cars behind pass me? I find consistently that less than 1 in 10 cars stays behind me, and therefore approximately 90 percent of drivers drive above the speed limit.

I found this to be the case on all types of roads at various speed limits. Of course this is not a statistical result in the usual sense but I predict that my own observations will be confirmed. I do not know of any research that tracks driver speed on a continuous basis and relates it to posted limits. That's the kind of data we would need to prove the point.

Aloha,
Leon James

Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: A study?

Commute times are reported in each region around the U.S. The figure we give is an average. If you want more specific results, take a look at these national and regional data:

http://www.sptimes.com/News/080601/Census/Getting_to_work_takes.shtml

http://www.ott.doe.gov/facts/archives/fotw180supp.shtml

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/1996/0306/commute.html

http://newsobserver.com/standing/collections/roadworrier/1100000045099.html

http://denver.bcentral.com/denver/stories/2001/11/26/weekinbiz.html

http://www.psrc.org/datapubs/pubs/trends/t11trend.htm

http://www.ocedc.com/commute.html

http://www.heritage.org/cd_ranking/58time.html

Hope this helps.

Aloha,
Leon James
Diane Nahl
DrDriving.org

	Enter your search terms
	Web DrDriving.org

Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: A study?

Dear Dr. James and Dr. Nahl,

Thank you for the links and for your time. This should be perfect!

Sincerely,
Deb

Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002
Subject: Music and driving

Dear Dr James and Dr Nahl

I am a final year part-time mature student (actually at 55 I am 'mature' all the time but a student part-time!) in applied psychology at the University of Leeds in the UK. My final year project concerns music, mood and driver behaviour. I would like permission to quote from your very useful website in my report. I would, of course, quote the reference but it is so good to find a reality based website and it has been of great interest. The experiment I am running involves using the university driving simulator and introducing 3 conditions of no music, stimulating music and calming music as participants undertake a car following exercise on the simulator. I do hope you can give me permission to quote your material.

Regards

Ruth (Mrs)

Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Music and driving

Yes, you have my permission. Your study sounds interesting--good luck.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: interview request

Mr. Washington, the address is:

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Quick question about auto collisions...

Thanks so much for your suggestion... but it led me to more airbag and molecular/atomic stuff. I've been sifting through that for hours.  Frustrating.  I'm almost ready to give up.

Again, thanks so much for you time. I shall attempt to journey onwards.

-Mike

Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2002
Subject: "From your tprintro.html File" -

Hey, I've read the page

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy/traffic/otsc.html#rehab

and I loved it! I've just turned the corner on a serious speeding addiction. Luckily I'm also very interested in what makes a "good" driver, so your page really stimulated me. All made sense.

Tom.

Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2002
Subject: traffic psychology

Thanks, Mr. S. I hope you have a chance to explore our DrDriving.org site and read our book.

Aloha,
Leon James

Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2002
Subject: interview request

Dr. James:

My name is Jesse; I'm writing a story for the Houston press about auto accidents in Houston, TX. We have the highest rate of accidents in Texas. One factor that has been cited for our high rate f accidents is anger behind the wheel. I'd like to talk to you about this topic.

I'm not sure what time it is is Hawaii compared to Houston (we're in the Central time zone). Please let me know a good time and number to call.

Thanks...

Jesse

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/409ss98/ching/report1.html

> Thanks Mr. M, for bringing this to my attention. All the affected
> reports were removed until they can be edited to remove the email id of
> quoted newsgroups messages.

Thanks for that. By the way - I've just looked at your website and had a go at the Driver Personality survey.

Interesting, but a couple of points are:

1) The website is *very* garish! In my point of view (of course):

a) There is too much information on a single page - Better to use a tree structure and have a means of navigating between branches.  Perhaps use frames?

b) There are too many colours being used at one time. Makes it difficult to pick out information of particular interest.

c) Use BOLD fonts only where needed. As with b), this makes it difficult to pick out what *really* needs to be emphasized.

d) All of the above make it very difficult to find links that one has already followed, but would like to re-visit!

2) In the survey it is not clear what you mean by the terms such as 'give them a scare', 'teach them a lesson' and 'vigilante drivers'. I can imagine what you mean, but I consider that I carry out actions such as this by reporting bad driving to the police. It appears that, in the UK, if    driver is reported for bad driving on more than one occasion by members of the public then the police will visit them to talk to them about it. If there are witnesses, then a prosecution may started.

Hope this helps. I have tried to be constructive in criticising the website as I'm sure there is a lot of very useful information there. Unfortunately I think the appearance will cause a lot of it to be missed.

All the best

john
Best Regards
John

Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2002
Subject: remodeled

Thank you Mr. M. I'm afraid your assessment about the old site is correct. However DrDriving.org site has now received a complete facelift, if you care to explore it.

Aloha,
Leon James

Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2002
Subject: ROAD RAGE BOOK RECOMMENDED

Just to let you know that today I recommended your Road Rage book to the Car Talk guys. On their show this morning a woman called to ask why her kind, mild-mannered husband turned into a monster behind the wheel.

Click and Clack said they knew of many people like this and hoped listeners would respond with ideas about why drivers drive with rage and what to do about it. Aloha, Ellen

Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: remodeled

> Thank you Mr. McCabe. I'm afraid your assessment about the old site is
> correct. However DrDriving.org site has now received a complete facelift,
> if you care to explore it.

I'm impressed - what a difference. That was quick! It's certainly easier to read and to see your way around. Well done.

Best Regards
John

Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: ROAD RAGE BOOK RECOMMENDED

Thanks Ellen! We need that help to get the message out. BTW, the site is redesigned and still needs work, looks more corporate and less individualistic. aloha, Diane

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

Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002
Subject: Singing while you drive.

Hello Dr. James,

I just read a little blurb in The February 19 issue of Women's World that quotes you as saying "studies show that any kind of singing relaxes the body" and "Singing relaxes your breathing pattern, so you draw more stress-reducing oxygen into your lungs."

Could you be so kind as to tell me where I could find the studies and research that addresses this? Have you yourself written anything on singing and road rage, or singing in general while driving? I am a singer and am forever trying to collect information about the many different ways singing is beneficial.

Thanks for your time, and I think what you are doing around road rage is very timely and very good. Are you now thinking about doing the same for air rage?

Thanks,

Meredith

Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: teen drivers

Ms. S,

Nice hearing from you again. I'd be happy to discuss the teen driver psychology issues you raise. You can call me Mo-Fr 8:30 to 10:30 AM (1:30 to 3:30 Philadelphia time):

808-261-2382

Here are a few relevant selections from our book, as a prelude:

CHAPTER 9: LIFELONG DRIVER EDUCATION

Teenagers at Risk

Teach teenagers in high school driver's education class how to be non-aggressive. Show them plenty of videos of fatal car accidents with the blood and gore that was caused by aggressiveness behind the wheel.  (Teenage male)  

Most adolescents look forward to getting a driver's license. But the love affair between teenagers and cars is often deadly. Car crashes kill more young people 15 to 20 years old than any other cause. About 14 percent (8,054) of drivers involved in fatal crashes in 1996 were 15-20 years old. Most of the fatalities of inexperienced 16-year old drivers are the result of driver error (8 out of 10 crashes).

1 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a 16-year-old driver is 42% more likely to be involved in a crash than a 17-year-old who has just one additional year of driving experience. In 1996, 16-year-old drivers were involved in 10,337 crashes, while the crash rate was two-thirds less for 17-year-olds (3,229). Parents are right to be concerned about these alarming statistics, since nearly half of the 16-year-olds in the U.S. hold a driver's license.

Besides inexperience in handling emergencies, young drivers often engage in more risky behaviors. Research sponsored by the International Association For Accident and Traffic Medicine (IAATM) shows that inexperience combines with immaturity and risky driving practices to increase the fatal crashes of 16-year-old drivers. Researchers examined the nighttime fatal crashes of 16-year-old drivers in California between 1989-1994 using police reports and newspaper accounts.

2

 The data indicate that the crashes of 16-year-olds are more often single vehicle events, more likely to result from driver error, involve speeding and higher passenger occupancy rates (often other teenagers).

In response to the appalling statistics and the mounting concern over teen drivers, many states and some countries have instituted a graduated licensing approach that provides for several licensing phases: learner's permit, intermediate or provisional license, and then full license.

A graduated licensing system supervises young, novice drivers in progressively more difficult motoring experiences at a controlled pace. Proponents believe that the more supervised practice teen drivers obtain the more experience they gain, so it is less likely they will be involved in a crash. Since young people typically have difficulty resisting peer influence to take risks and show bravado, proponents also hope more supervision will help build safer attitudes. Restrictions may include:

Six months of crash-free, conviction-free driving

Zero tolerance for alcohol

No driving between midnight and 6:00 a.m. without authorization

Provisional color-coded drivers' licenses

Successful completion of a driver education course

During the permit stage at age 15 or 16, young drivers must be supervised by an adult, pass a drivers' education course, and remain conviction-free to proceed to the next level. The provisional or intermediate license includes on-road testing and a requirement to remain citation-free for the license period. Other restrictions often apply, such as more supervised driving and a curfew or prohibition against late-night driving. The third stage of full licensing occurs after successful completion of the first two stages and includes a zero-tolerance alcohol law. After New Zealand adopted a graduated licensing system, studies showed that the injury and fatality rated among young drivers decreased. By 1999, 20 states had enacted some form of graduated licensing.

3

Clearly, the need for driver education is high especially among teens, yet states rarely require it or fund it at insufficient levels.   Driving courses are seldom available in public schools, and those that offer courses cannot meet the demand. Private driving schools often service the courts as a form of re-education or rehabilitation for driving offenses. Officials frequently comment that the weakening of society's resolve to deliver driver education knowledge is associated with the worsening driving environment. The American Driver and Traffic Safety Association believes that the majority of drivers are rude, simply ignoring traffic rules. In the 1970s 90 percent of people took drivers' education courses, while today, it's 35 percent:

Driving instructors say it's hard to preach proper driving when so few practice it. In a survey of more than 1,000 adults, the consumer coalition found that 64 percent believed people are driving much less courteously and safely than five years ago. The solutions they offered include more driver education, warnings or tickets from law enforcement officers and refresher driving courses for all adults similar to those required in some states for senior citizens. 

4

In addition to teaching their kids to drive skillfully and appropriately, parents can take steps to help prevent or reduce the number of crashes involving teen drivers:

We need to target children aged 11-15 for education, and follow up with kids later--they are learning aggressive driving behavior from day one, even from parents who only get angry occasionally. Parents have to tell their kids at a young age that they are wrong when they overreact to mistakes made by other drivers. We all need to remember and recognize that everyone makes mistakes sometimes--assume that the person who angers you either didn't do it on purpose, or is a misguided soul who should be pitied, not hated. (Middle aged woman) For example, parents can:

Supervise the teen's driving time

Give the teen sufficient supervised practice during the learner's permit period and throughout the first year of licensed driving

Put a limit on the number of passengers allowed

Limit the teen's driving during periods of increased risk such as weekends and particular holidays such as New Year's Eve

Establish a curfew

Insist that the teen and passengers wear safety belts

Set limits on the areas and locales where the teen is permitted to drive

Prohibit the teen from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Encourage the teen to use good judgment both as a driver and as passenger

Be a good role model as a driver

The potential for a crash can heighten with aggressive driving, driver inexperience, and inappropriate interaction with passengers. Along with parent supervision, graduated licensing allows initial driving experience to accumulate under less hazardous conditions, and prohibits recreational, nighttime driving that has proven to be particularly dangerous for young, beginning drivers. Driving instructors are aware that teenagers often lack the ability to exercise rational control over their behavior when driving a vehicle in a reckless manner. Today's more complex driving conditions demand that traditional driver education be re-designed to incorporate judgement and self-control in addition to the rules of the road and handling techniques.

(etc.)

The above is from our book

	Enter your search terms
	Web DrDriving.org

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002
Subject: Driving comfort zone

Hi Dr. Driving,

I was wondering if you know of any good technical papers or references that discuss the "comfort zone" analogous to the concept of distances people use to separate themselves from others (e.g., intimate, personal, social-consultative, public) of driving and of drivers. I am familiar with the concept of headway, but thought you might have some insights.

Thanks,

Erik

Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2002
Subject: enquiry about In Car System

Hello,

My name is Shojiro, and I actually contacted with you 2 years ago for my project focusing on a beahviour of motorcyclists England.

I am about to apply for a PhD at Institute for Transport Studies in The University of Leeds in England. I have been doing a research for my potential PhD study concerning : New developments of In-Car Systems which have been designed by the motor manufacturers to reduce driver errors, lapses or the effect of stress might not appear to have considered the detailed responses of drivers with different psychological profiles (driving styles) to these systems.

However, I have done MSc in Occupational Psychology and I am currently out of the circle of the study which I am interested in now. I have checked Nissan and Ford's website to see if any innovations going on the field, however I can see it as a commercial purpose....

I am wondering if you know and introduce me any websites discussing the effectiveness of In Car Systems for human errors.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Shojiro

See DrDriving's page on Bicycling

Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Singing while you drive.

Hi, Meredith,

There still are no research studies that I know of on singing and driving, so we have to go by anecdotal and observational evidence of individuals under informal conditions. And also--logic and common sense.  I keep whatever information I have on music, singing, and driving on this Web location--check it out:

Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Singing while you drive.

Hi Leon,

Thank you so much for your prompt response. I appreciate it very much. I shall check out the website you gave me.

Meredith

Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Singing while you drive. (fwd)

>From the International Index to Music Periodicals. Other periodical indexes/databases may have more. Your local college or university librarians can help you find more.  The search terms were: singing and health

Fisher, Maria Jo

Document Title: Sing for Your Health

Publication: The Voice of Chorus America 24:4 [Summer 2001] cover, 10

Abstract: Reports on a study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, that measured the amounts of disease-fighting proteins in the saliva of choir members before, during, and after rehearsals, and at one performance of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis." States that the study found that the levels of one antibody used to fight disease, Immunoglobulin A, increased 150% after the rehearsals and 240% after the performance.

Discusses three other findings: (1) the immune system rises from a baseline level after extended amounts of singing, (2) this is heightened during a performance, and (3) the more passionate a singer feels, the more this effect is heightened.

Document Type: Research and Analysis
Subject Categories: Music and Other Disciplines Vocal Music

Subject Terms: Diseases
Health
Immune System
Performances
Singing

University of California Irvine
Publisher(s): Chorus America
Country of Publication: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1074-0805

Scientific report on the same study. The search terms were: singing and immune system

Beck, Robert J
Cesario, T C
Enamoto, H
Yousefi, A

Document Title: Choral Singing, Performance Perception, and Immune System Changes in Salivary Immunoglobulin A and Cortisol

Publication: Music Perception 18:1 [Fall 2000] 87-106

Abstract: Reports that in a naturalistic pre-post design, samples of saliva were collected from the members of a professional chorale during an early rehearsal, a late rehearsal and a public performance of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis." Notes that as measures of immune system response, mean levels of secretory immunoglobulin A increased significantly, as a proportion of whole protein, 150% during rehearsals and 240% during the performance. Indicates that cortisol concentrations decreased significantly an average of 30% during rehearsals and increased 37% during performance. Concludes that as measured through performance perception rating scales, a group of emotions and other experiential states that singers associated with professional singing were highly predictive of changes in level of secretory immunoglobulin A during the performance condition, but the results for the rehearsal condition were not significant. Includes references.

Document Type: Research and Analysis
Subject Categories: Music and Other Disciplines Vocal Music

Subject Terms: Choral Music
Cognitive Psychology
Emotions
Immune System
Music Perception
Music Psychology
Musicology
Performances
Physiology
Professional Musicians
Rehearsals
Singing
Stage Fright
Statistical Analysis
Stress (Psychological)

Publisher(s): University of California Press
Country of Publication: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 0730-7829

Dr. Diane Nahl, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Information and Computer Sciences, Library and Information Science Program

Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Singing while you drive.

Hello again Leon,

Thanks again, this time for passing on the info to Diane. The info she sent me is very exciting! How wonderful to think that as we sing it's possible our immune systems are benefitted.

All the best,

Meredith

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002
Subject: teen drivers

Dear Dr. James,

My name is Susan and I spoke with you about a year ago concerning road rage. You were very gracious and generous with your time and information and I wrote a column for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette based on the information you gave me. I believe you included the work in your list of articles about you on your web site.

I'm back to ask you for help once again. This time, I'm writing about how adults can help teens be safer drivers. We recently saw four teenagers die tragically when they were out "joy riding," for pathetic lack of a better phrase.

They weren't drinking and no trace of drugs was found in them, but the driver simply let loose on a country road and crashed into an embankment and another car while driving around 80 mph. All four teens in that car died and the driver of the other car was injured but not seriously.

From my perspective as a rather typical person, I know that there is a wildness that comes with adolescence and there is a great increase in some teens in their willingness to take risks. From my limited knowledge of psychology, I know that teens go through a very natural and necessary process of detaching from the authority of their parents. It's that stage where parents tend to try to maintain the controls they've had all along (or at least thought they had) and kids try to disentangle themselves from that control.

Is this playing a part in how some kids drive? Is the freedom of being in control of a car causing them to take more risks? And could you talk about this feeling of immortality that teens have?

Once you kinda define what's going on in teens, can we help people understand what can be done? The high school these kids attended had drivers' ed programs, and they had the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's safety officer in several times to talk about driving hazards. The Pennsylvania State Police have also run programs, so it seems that despite everyone's best efforts, teens aren't listening.

Can you help me with this one? I'll leave my number or I can call you, if you prefer. It was a pleasure working with you before, Dr. James, and I hope to do so again soon.

Thank you,
Susan

Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002
Subject: ENCYC SOC BEHAV SCIENCES

Hi - thought you'd be interested to know of a new publication. You are in the index, under Jakobovits and James, referencing several volumes.

Title: International encyclopedia of the social & behavioral sciences / editors-in-chief Neil J. Smelser, Paul B. Baltes.

Publisher: Amsterdam ; New York : Elsevier, 2001. 26 vols.
Call Number: Ref. H41 .I58 2001
Location: UH Manoa: Hamilton Main Reference-Library Use Only

Aloha, Ellen

Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: tight parking spaces

Ms. Lum, the parking rage site is at

Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002
Subject: Greetings!

We have met with our local District Attorney, who will prosecute dangerous and overly-aggressive drivers with our video tapes. We have introduced ourselves to local law enforcement agencies, who have given us a thumbs-up to proceed. We have begun "The Traffic Surveillance Team".

Please check out our page at

http://hometown.aol.com/roadsurveillance/index.html

Your thoughts are welcomed and invited. We would also like to know if we could get your permission to refer to your site on our page.

Since we have begun, we have had an article printed in the Aspentimes.com on January 16th, 2002 (page 3) and have since done radio interviews on radio stations (from Seskatchewan to Denver), and have received requests for interviews from CBS's Inside Edition, and an agent with 20/20. We have also received a resume' for the future.

We are currently a small group of volunteers (in desparate need of financial support), and will continue our efforts as long as possible. If you have any ideas, we would love to hear back from you.

Thank you in advance for your time,

Thomas E

The Traffic Surveillance Team

Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002
Subject: media query - Cosmopolitan on deadline

Dear Dr. James:

I am contacting you on behalf of Cosmopolitan magazine because I am preparing an item on road rage for an upcoming issue's health column. A recent AP article notes that agressive driving among teenage girls seems to be increasing (as evidenced by their increasing rates of auto accidents); I aso noted on your website that you are quoted as saying that women in general are becoming increasingly aggressive behind the wheel (more 'seethers'). However, as our readers are in their 20s and 30s, I'd like to find out if there's any evidence that women in this age group are becoming more susceptible to road rage. I have read over the results of the two surveys on your website, and if you agree that the following is accurate based upon their results, I would like to report the following:

"surveys on road rage have noted an increase over the past several years in aggressive driving habits like speeding, tailgating, and gesturing at fellow drivers among 20-and-30 something females."

Please note that I will also make clear that men still outdistance women in regard to road rage rates, but the gap may be closing. I'd also like to get your estimate, since I know you're the pre-eminent source on this subject, of how many deaths per year might be attributed to road rage.

I'm sending this request via e-mail because our deadline is super-tight and I wanted to reach you as quickly as possible (I'm in Pa., on EST).

However, if you'd prefer to discuss by phone, I'd welcome the opportunity to do so today (Thurs, Feb 14) or as early Tuesday (my deadline day) as you might be able to. Many thanks for your patience and assistance; I

look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Melissa
for Cosmopolitan magazine

Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002
Subject: tight parking spaces

Aloha:

My name is Stephanie. I am a news reporter with KHNL News 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii. I came across your website dedicated to the parking perils in Hawaii and am very interested in learning more about it for an upcoming news story topic.

I tried to access the links provided on your website however it didn't patch me through.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Stephanie

Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002
Subject: Canada-US differences

Ms. Solyom,

here is the address of the table of differences in aggressive driving between states and provinces:

Aloha,

Leon James
Diane Nahl
University of Hawaii

Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Permission

Ms. Scanlan,

You are welcome to quote from our Web site materials and book as long as you email me on which article you're quoting from and include a reference to our book or Web site for each quote in your article.

I agree that this would be a good topic for your focus and area--lots of health implications of course. Good luck in your project.

Aloha,
Leon James
DrDriving

Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002
Subject: Hi Dr. James ( I'm an undergrad psychology student from W. Chester Univ.)

Hi Dr. James,

I'm an undergraduate student at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. I am taking research methods this semester and I am interested in doing a meta-analysis of the current literature pertaining to "road rage" and testing a hypothesis that individuals who have a poor locus of internal control and a view of an unjust world are more frequently involved in incidents of "road rage". Any ideas or suggestions as to what areas of psychology, testing etc to focus on would be truly wonderful. I apologize if I have taken up your time for such an amateur idea but I came across your website while searching for journal articles and this is my first experience with traffic psychology of which i had no idea existed.

Thank you,

Edward K.
West Chester University

Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002
Subject: Sources of Road Rage

Dear Dr. Driving,

We all know road rage is a major epidemic, but I have yet to see ONE article or study touch on the role played in the problem by local governments. We live in a global society where people are interested in events on the worldwide and national level, and sometimes state. Local politics are of little interest to them. As a result, some very, very weird people are able to get elected to local seats of power. Like condominium association members, a little power in the hands of a little person is a very dangerous thing.

Many localities have adopted some very sleazy and insidious practices, and Southern California is foremost among them. First, the practice of shortening the time span of yellow lights. The goal is to trigger the camera more frequently to be able to collecte more revenue through the citation process. This revenue is then divided between the local government and the private corporations who make and provide the cameras. The city makes money! So what if a few citizens die?

But the most disgusting practice is that of staggering the lights to  deliberately turn motorists into scofflaws. In major California cities such as Pasadena, Burbank and Santa Clarita, you experience this sequence on every major street:

1. You get trapped at a ridiculously long light.

2. The light turns green. You proceed at the posted speed limit.

3. The next signal turns red just as you arrive, trapping you behind the full time span of another inappropriately long light.

It doesn't take a PhD in psych to understand that this not only infuriates drivers, it causes them to either speed to make up for lost time or run the lights to break the cycle. The purpose is to entrap motorists into breaking the law so more citations are written. So what if, when motorists drive in a state of anger, run lights and speed, people die?

The aforementioned members of local government obviously don't care, feeling secure in their positions due to the apathy of the local voters.

As this practice spreads, some form of organized public back pressure will be necessary, and even Federal intervention.

John S.
Santa Clarita, CA

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: your question

Hi Dr. James,

Thank you so much for your response. In response to why i think a low locus of control may be a variable associated with aggressive driving behavior "road rage" is because of poor impulse control and thus the impulsive act of aggression. As for the unjust world view is in response to a finding in the research that subjects when asked why they reacted in an retaliatory manner to an aggressive driver was that they didn't want the person to get away with it and wanted justice. This reaction is relative to the severity of the situation. I predict that individuals with and unjust world view would likely be another variable in the profile of an aggressive driver.

Thank you for your suggestions on search terms and have redefined my operational defintions.   I have your book on order from our library.

It is wonderful to have your input. Thank you so much for your time it helps more than you can imagine!:)

Thank you,

Edward K.

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002
Subject: OK here it is

Hi Ed,

I've created a brief page that you can just copy and paste into your Guide site. Let me know if this is suitable.

Aloha,

Leon

Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002

Attached is an article that has been circulated to media outlets, agents, brokers and other interested stakeholders in teen driver safety.

It talks about preparing for prom night and the other 365 nights a year. There is a particular focus on female passengers. The article is formatted so you cay print and photocopy it onto your own letterhead for distribution.

Please feel free to do so, or to post on your web site or to place in a newsletter.

The feedback received thus far has been positive, such as from this news editor in Wenatchee, Washington:

Thank you for the helpful tips on prom night. I will pass them along to the appropriate editor with a suggestion for a story. Also, as the mother of a 16-year-old daughter, I found the information useful and supportive and plan to have my daughter read it too.

Vanessa
News editor
The Wenatchee World
___________________

And this response from an insurance agent in the US:

Thanks Gary for sharing this article. I am a member and State representative for the Independent Insurance Agents of Camden Gloucester County and as a county we do campaigns against Drunk drivers and safety. Thank you. This article will be circulated.

Nancy
_____________________________

Please be informed that the I Promise Program will be presented at the World Health Organization's 11th international conference on Safe Communities. This conference coincides this year with Canada's 5th national conference on safe communities. The conference takes place the first week in May, in Fort Frances, Ontario. This means the I Promise Program has gone from conception to launch to the international stage in just two years.

Our task at present is to get the program to the attention of parents of new teen drivers. Any support you can provide will be helpful and very much appreciated.

www.ipromiseprogram.com

Best,

Gary
Gary Direnfeld, Executive Director

Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002
Subject: speeders/gps

CAR RENTAL AGENCY CITED FOR SPYING ON SPEEDERS

Acme Rent-a-Car, based in Connecticut, has been cited by the state's Consumer Protection Commission for its practice of tracking customers' driving habits via GPS devices and assessing customers $150 each time they exceeded 79 miles per hour. The commission said the company violated Connecticut's unfair trade practices act by not notifying customers of the monitoring, and ordered Acme to pay back "every single customer who they took money from illegally." Many car rental agencies use GPS to locate their vehicles in case they are stolen or taken out of the country. (Reuters/CNet 21 Feb 2002)

http://news.com.com/2100-1040-842821.html

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

Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:47:49 -0400
From: robin <rp@eznet.net>
To: interviews@drDriving.org
Subject: book recommendation
----------------------------------------

I find your site interesting and much needed. I apologize that this is not an interview
request, but I think AXLE ANNIE AND THE SPEED GRUMP, a picture book for the primary grades, would be a good one for you to recommend as a read-aloud for kids.

 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ssAnnie+and+the+Speed+Grump&Go.x=11&Go.y=8   

I am the author of a number of children's books, including AXLE ANNIE AND THE SPEED GRUMP.

Axle Annie is a school bus driver who must deal with Rush Hotfoot, the "speed grump."