Have you ever noticed when walking in a busy shopping mall, how we all seamlessly engage with other pedestrians, move fluidly and avoid bumping into each other, yet we have no markings, signs or methods of signalling our intention?
Or have you noticed when you approach a doorway at the same time as someone else, both of you instinctively move to the side, offering for the other to go first and with a simple wave of the hand and a pleasant smile, both of you continue on your way?
Put the same two people in cars and put them in a situation on the road that requires them to merge, change lanes or give way and the likely outcome is significantly different – it usually involves hand gestures, blaring horns and flashing lights.
Isn’t it strange how, when we are cocooned in a metal box on wheels, we lose our ability to use common sense and show some common courtesy.
The performance of drivers on the road has the largest impact upon road crashes. It is widely viewed that driver behaviour contributes in some degree to 93 per cent of all road crashes.
what drives our behaviour behind the wheel?
Undoubtedly, the method in which we were taught how to drive is a contributor or how we react to certain situations would be another. Our perception of safety or risk appetite has a part to play too. There is a theory that we become ‘removed’ from hazards due to the increased safety features, lack of road noise and modern luxuries in our cars and this increases our appetite for risk. However the real influence upon our general and driving behaviour is our Attitude.
Consider A B C D
Attitude, determines Behaviour which results in a Consequence in our Driving.
The wrong Attitude is more likely to lead to poor behaviour which leads on to a negative consequence in our driving – a Crash. Good attitude is more likely to lead to better behaviour behind the wheel which in turn has a positive impact in our driving – Courtesy.
As the world becomes more tempestuous and demanding, we are NOT taught how to drive any more. Instead, we are taught how to PASS the test. It’s as though we need that short-cut, fast-tracked pace to getting our driving licence quicker, simpler and easier.
We’ve all been a young driver at some stage and I’m sure we can all recall a time when we felt we were invincible, confident and carefree. The parts of the adolescent brain which develop first are those which control physical coordination, emotion and motivation. However, the part of the brain which controls reasoning and impulses - known as the Prefrontal Cortex - is near the front of the brain and therefore develops last. This part of the brain does not fully mature until the age of 25. It’s after this age that we have a better understanding of consequence. So, are we really happy to put a 17 year-old behind the wheel of a machine capable of 200km/h along with other road users a full eight years before they fully understand the consequences of their actions?
Twenty-six per cent of all drivers and 32 per cent of all vehicle passengers killed on Australia’s roads are aged between 17 and 25. This age range accounts for the highest proportion of deaths on Australia’s roads.
Young drivers on our roads need to gain experience but their inability to fully understand the consequences of their actions contributes to their bad attitude which undoubtedly results in a greater proportion of poor behaviour and therefore negative consequences.
We all have a duty to pass on our own experiences to the younger generation – be it family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues or other road users. You can start by setting examples to the really young in your demeanour and attitude when driving – they can still watch and observe from the back seat! Next, when you are coaching and helping your son or daughter as an ‘L’ plater, be sure to seek advice and read up on better driving skills and not just do the minimum so that they can pass the test. Finally, advise them on the prudent choice of car in their earliest years on the road – something safe and reliable but not high performance.
Regardless of your age or experience in driving, please consider your responsibilities and set a good example to our younger drivers so that they may improve their attitude. Doctor William Glasser, a US psychiatrist who specialises in education, management and personal responsibility, conducted research into the learning process. What he found was that we remember 10 per cent of what we read; 20 per cent of what we hear; 80 per cent of what we practice; and 95 per cent of what we teach someone else. So, if you only remember 10 per cent of what you read of this article, make sure it’s the fact that you remember 95 per cent of what you teach others.
Reference: Zurich Insurance
