Do you get angry?

For some reason I have always been one of those driver’s that just does NOT get angry while on the road. Have you ever witnessed road rage before? I have, and it’s a pretty scary looking thing. It can take control over almost anyone who allows it to control them. When I went to traffic school I remember watching a video that talked about road rage. There were real life testimonies of people who have lost loved ones due to road rage. I remember being so shocked at the fact that anger could take over someone’s thinking so much that they put someone else’s life at risk. I mean, anger can make us all do some things we might regret, but taking someone’s life because of it? How can we prevent risking other people’s lives and even our own life before we become affected by road rage? When someone cuts us off or follows us way too closely, I’m sure we all may get frustrated in those situations. Even if it’s not our fault that other people drive recklessly, we can try to deal with our anger in other ways rather than following those reckless drivers just to give them a dirty look, or to cut them off to get even. Now, we’ve all heard the technique of taking a deep breath and counting to 10. Believe me, this definitely can work in a time of anger. By managing your own anger you can try a couple other steps that may be beneficial. First, you could try to change the direction of your thinking when you’re in a time of anger. I think we could all agree that we would be less angry at a person if we knew that there is a possibility that their behavior was not intentionally directed towards us. Let’s say that if the driver that cut you off just honestly didn’t see you, then you would most likely be less angry at them. Or perhaps, if the driver were in an urgent situation of their own you would also be less angry towards them. So maybe try to keep in mind that the other driver may not have the intentions you are imagining they’re having. Second, before you are able to change your way of thinking, you could try to distract yourself from the situation. This is when you can bring in that old technique of taking a deep breath and counting to 10. Try to focus on the fact that you should be watching the road ahead of you rather than becoming distracted by other drivers. When dealing with other people’s anger, it can be as easy as just simply ignoring the actions of anger made by other drivers. Focusing on the anger of other people can not only promote anger in yourself but disrupt your focus on the road. Remaining calm is the safest response to anger. It’s not worth risking a life. Feel free to share your own experiences with road rage, whether you struggle with it or if you know someone who does. These tips could be really helpful on a daily basis while driving. Also, let me hear what you think on this issue. Should there be curriculum in driver’s training that require students to learn about road rage and how to avoid it? Should beginning drivers learn the tips and how-to’s of controlling anger while on the road? What would you say?

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Danica Lacy / Comment

Whats Your Resolution?

Beginning this New Year, we reflect on our past and look forward into our future in attempts to make changes in our lives through what we call New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s resolutions for quitting a bad habit, becoming more fit, spending more time with family, or getting rid of the bulge, the new year challenges us to reach goals in attempt to make changes in our lives. Thinking of all the New Year’s resolutions people are making for themselves, I was reminded of the “I Commit” cards that Impact Teen Drivers hands out to teens as a part of their campaign: What Do You Consider Lethal? That’s basically what a resolution is, it’s a commitment. Something that states, “I am determined by this decision to make a change in my life.” We make all sorts of resolutions, commitments, firm decisions, but do we ever follow through with them the whole year or even the rest of our lives? Do we reach that goal we set for ourselves? And if we do, do we ever stick with the goal we’ve set for ourselves? Usually resolutions are broken so easily is because it’s hard to stick to a new habit or the results have become unsatisfying. It is said that it usually takes about 27 days to make a habit and even shorter to break it. How about creating a new habit, a new resolution? Something that has real results and is better for not only you but for your entire community and even the world! Many people have heard or know someone who has passed away from a fatal car accident. So how about today, right now, you make the decision, commitment, and determined resolution to drive safer in honor of those whose lives were lost through distracted driving, drunk driving or any sort of fatal driving accident. Make this part of your New Year’s resolution: To become a safer driver, to wear your seat belt every time you’re in a car, to not be afraid to speak up if your friend/parent/sibling is driving recklessly, or as a driver make sure your passengers are following safety precautions while accompanied in your vehicle. This habit could save a life, even yours.

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Danica Lacy / Comment

Speeding Kills Bears

The other day I was with a friend on our way to look for a car for me to drive now that I have my license back again. As I looked around I noticed how fast the people around us were going. I imagined myself as the passenger of one of those cars and how I would feel about how fast my driver was going. My heart raced just thinking about it, and not in an exciting way, but in a frightening way. As I imagined this happening, I decided to think of how fast is fast to me in terms of miles per hour. The number that came to my mind was around 100 mph. I mean, even 35 mph is pretty fast when you think about it. But let’s just say you were the passenger of a car going 110 mph down a two lane road, a freeway, or anywhere. Would you be legitimately scared for your life or would it be a major thrill? Or, would you even think anything of it? For me, I would honestly be crying in fear and screaming at the top of my lungs for the person to stop as I pee my pants the second he/she goes faster than I can handle. But, hey, that’s just me. I ponder on thoughts like this a lot, imagining myself in those types of frightful situations and what I would do being in that position. Before my accident, I didn’t think anything of going 110 mph. It wouldn’t have fazed me as a driver, or possibly even as a passenger. Now, I can’t even imagine it. As young drivers or even drivers in general, speed is a way of life. Everything is in fast motion. We are constantly in a hurry to get somewhere or meet someone. But is risking a life or two, or three, or who knows how many really worth getting somewhere on time? For some, speed is just for fun, not necessarily to get somewhere on time, but just because “fast is better.” As a driver, do you think about how fast you’re going? Do you think about how your passengers feel about how fast you’re going? And as a passenger, are you brave enough to let your driver know that their excessive speed is uncomfortable for you? Although the driver has control over their vehicle, don’t think that as a passenger you don’t have that same control. As a passenger you can have control without being behind the wheel just by saying “slow down.” If you ever head up the mountains towards Yosemite National Park there are these yellow warning signs on the side of the road that read “Speeding Kills Bears.” I always found this to be an interesting type of sign because it makes me think that every time you speed you are killing a bear, not necessarily its true intent where your speed could kill a bear because it could pop out in front of you and the impact of your excessive speed could end its life. Maybe that’s how we should think about speeding: That every time you speed, you are killing a cute furry little cub…or perhaps a human life. Think about your passengers as a driver and of course yourself, because you are risking lives every time you speed. -Danica

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Danica Lacy / Comment

Does Learning the Hard Way Make You a Safer Driver? (By Danica)

After getting my license taken away for about a year due to my accident, I have experienced the role of being a passenger driver, pedestrian, and faithful bus rider. After experiencing roles other than a driver, I notice a lot more things about driving. I guess most people would classify me as the typical “back-seat-driver.”  Maybe it’s because I have experienced the role of being an inexperienced driver that I have become a highly experienced back-seat-driver. After becoming a professional passenger rider, not being afraid to let my drivers know if they’re going too fast, or being too distracted, I have finally been allowed the privilege of obtaining the role of a driver once again.

 

This past week I earned back my privilege to drive after almost a year of not driving. As I pondered on the thought of gaining this role back, I noticed something that was different then when I received my license for the very first time ever. Although I was excited to get my license back I became extremely nervous of the thought of being out on the road again as a driver, the one in control, and the hands behind the wheel. Thinking back to the day that I had first gotten my license ever, it was a different feeling. I wasn’t this scared. And why not? The road is dangerous when you think about it. People speed all the time, get distracted by ipods, radios and phones, or pay more attention to what their passengers are doing than focusing on the road and cars around them. So why wouldn’t I be just as scared as I am now about driving as the time I received my license for the first time EVER?

 

When teenagers first get their license, it’s exciting. They learn all the how-to’s of driving, pass their test, and gain control of something that has become the leading cause of death for teens.  Wait…what was that? Driving-related accidents are the leading cause of death for teens? When we first get our license do we actually think of that fact? I sure didn’t. If I knew this before I started driving for the first time would I have taken driving more seriously rather than living every moment in the car as a joy ride? As I thought this, I reminded myself of my position now as a driver. I had previously been the driver in a fatal car accident in which I lost the life of my boyfriend, and due to my poor actions as that driver, faced emotional, physical, psychological, and serious consequences. So now, becoming a driver once again, I feel I am a much safer driver because of it. Because I now know what not to do and how to be more aware of safe driving. Comparing my thoughts as a “first time” driver again to a teenager just receiving their license, our view of driving is vastly different. It’s like when a little boy spills his juice at the table (action), causing a huge mess, his mother gets mad (promoting fear in the child), and he is told that what he did was not ok and must sit in the corner (consequence). After this incident, it is very likely that the child will be much more careful at the table and be susceptible to the “spillable” things around him. Not perfect by nature, we must learn right from wrong. But must we serve a harsh consequence to truly understand that some things we do are just not ok?

 

I thought: What if teenagers had the same serious view of driving that I do now without having to deal with consequences to know how truly serious it is?

 

So, what do YOU think? Does learning the hard way make you a safer driver?

 

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Danica Lacy / 1 comment