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| Results of a Community Intervention Designed to Increase Positive Driving Behaviors |
| Monday, May 31, 2004 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| Beacon H |
| Area: CSE/CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Chris S. Dula (University of Memphis) |
| Discussant: Kelli England Will (Center for Pediatric Research) |
| Abstract: . |
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| The Effect of Using a Courtesy Communication Code on Driving Behaviors |
| IAN J. EHRHART (Virginia Tech), James S. Clifford (Virginia Tech), E. Scott Geller (Virginia Tech), Sara R. Rayne (University of Memphis), Chris S. Dula (University of Memphis) |
| Abstract: Most people have experienced negative emotionality while driving, whether they feel disdain toward another driver or another driver reacts with hostility toward them. In many cases, it may be a lack of constructive interpersonal communication that triggers these feelings. This project examined the driving behaviors and attitudes of a community population. Participants took part in a project to test an inter-vehicular courteous communication code. The code is communicated by using ones hazard lights or a device known as the Polite Light. Participants were randomly assigned to three different groups, one using the Polite Light to disseminate the code, one using their hazard lights, and a control group instructed not to use the code. Participants filled out Driving Diaries (DD) for eight separate trips each week, during a period of ten weeks. Each DD assessed multiple behaviors and emotions felt regarding other drivers. It was hypothesized that drivers using the code would report fewer dangerous driving behaviors and more positive behaviors on the road. This paper addresses changes in driver behavior in the treatment groups, and also looks at relationships between drivers’ pre-intervention self-reports of dangerous driving behaviors and these behaviors as reported on the DD checklists during the intervention. |
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| The Effect of Environmental Variables on Dangerous Driving Behaviors |
| ERIC G. RAYMOND (Virginia Tech), Christopher B. Robichaux (Virginia Tech), Ian J. Ehrhart (Virginia Tech), Hugh L. Kimbel (Virginia Tech), E. Scott Geller (Virginia Tech) |
| Abstract: A large scale experiment was conducted where the purpose was to examine risky and aggressive driving behaviors and their potential causes, while attempting to implement a system to increase courtesy and communication between drivers. One aspect of this study was the requirement for drivers to fill out Driving Diaries (DD) for eight trips a week. The DD checklist consists of items assessing driving behaviors and feelings toward other drivers on the road. For each trip drivers also indicated the presence of a number of environmental conditions including such things as time of day, weather and road conditions, traffic density, and whether they encountered road work or law enforcement vehicles. This paper examines interactions between environmental conditions and reported instances of driving behaviors. The Driving Diaries also asked drivers how they felt during each trip. Feelings of frustration or anger could be the product of certain environmental variables, and could ultimately contribute to aggressive or risky driving behaviors. There may be trends that can be isolated, allowing us to better understand the reason behind why high-risk and aggressive driving behaviors are so prevalent on our roads today, and whether specific environmental factors predict their occurrence. |
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| Reaction to a Community-wide Intervention Addressing Aggressive Driving |
| ERICA M. VAN ARSDALE (University of Memphis), Sara R. Rayne (University of Memphis), Tim Lloyd (University of Memphis), Chris S. Dula (University of Memphis) |
| Abstract: Approximately 27,650 deaths, hundreds of thousands of injuries, and roughly $50 billion in costs, were the result of aggressive driving in American in 1996 (Martinez, 1997). Aggressive driving is a problem facing us all, whether driving or walking on a sidewalk. To combat the problem of aggressive driving, it was hypothesized that an inter-vehicular communication system that is positive by definition, would lower drivers’ levels of frustration and alleviate fears that other drivers would become aggressive toward them. The Polite Light was developed to communicate a Courtesy Code, which could also be transmitted with one’s hazard lights. The Courtesy Code uses one flash to communicate “Please,” two flashes for “Thank You,” and three flashes for “I Am Sorry.” In the current study, 194 participants were randomly assigned to Polite Light, hazard light, or control groups. Each group monitored its driving behavior with Driving Diaries filled out at the end of 8 trips per week for up to 10 weeks. At the project’s end, participants were asked to fill out an Exit Survey assessing their experience. The Exit Survey shows a need for a communication system between drivers and the results of this survey are the subject of this paper presentation. |
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