Sorrow, depression and anxiety can affect driving
Jun 21, 2010
DURING school assemblies, we were always told not to applaud until the head teacher had completed his address.
By Agnes Kyotalengerire
DURING school assemblies, we were always told not to applaud until the head teacher had completed his address.
As I grew up, I realized one needed to apply the same principle while driving: do not let emotions interfere with driving.
Unfortunately, many drivers fall victim to this vice.
“Driving requires full attention. Your state of mind affects the way you behave and react to situations,†John Arinaitwe, a driving instructor, says.
He adds that getting emotional while driving interferes with one’s ability to think clearly. It distracts the mind.
When the driver’s thoughts are disturbed, his ability to assess situations is impaired, leading to unwise decisions. As a result, mistakes which can lead to loss of life are bound to occur, Arinaitwe explains.
He says when the driver is worried or upset they may not notice an obstacle on the road. When emotions are high, the driver’s adrenaline goes up, the heartbeat increases, he breathes fast, digestion slows and the palms of his hands sweat.
Robert Kaboyo, a driving instructor explains that many drivers rely on assumption that other road users are sober and responsibly on the road, which is not always the case.
Many times other road users do the least expected things on road, interfering with each others planned speed and invoking emotions like anger and panic.
Kaboyo says such emotions impair the driver’s ability to brake, steer or accelerate. Under such circumstances the driver takes the risks he would otherwise not have taken if he was sober.
Sorrow, depression and anxiety are some of the emotions that affect driving. These emotions slow down the body processes and impair mental alertness.
“Anxiety differs from anger. For example, a driver might be anxious when driving in an unfamiliar, difficult situation and might have trouble identifying hazards,†he says.
Excitement can also affect the driver’s concentration.
How to control emotions
If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to calm down. Get out of the car and take a short walk, but stay off the road until you have regained control of your emotions.
• If you are worried, upset or depressed, try to stay focused on your driving. Chewing gum or listening to radio could help.
• Get an early start to your destination. That way you will be less likely to go over the speed limit and will avoid finding yourself in irritating traffic situations.
• If you are tired, make an effort to control your emotions. A tired person can become upset easily.
• If you are excited or upset, ask someone to drive you. Give yourself a few minutes to relax your mind. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.
DURING school assemblies, we were always told not to applaud until the head teacher had completed his address.
As I grew up, I realized one needed to apply the same principle while driving: do not let emotions interfere with driving.
Unfortunately, many drivers fall victim to this vice.
“Driving requires full attention. Your state of mind affects the way you behave and react to situations,†John Arinaitwe, a driving instructor, says.
He adds that getting emotional while driving interferes with one’s ability to think clearly. It distracts the mind.
When the driver’s thoughts are disturbed, his ability to assess situations is impaired, leading to unwise decisions. As a result, mistakes which can lead to loss of life are bound to occur, Arinaitwe explains.
He says when the driver is worried or upset they may not notice an obstacle on the road. When emotions are high, the driver’s adrenaline goes up, the heartbeat increases, he breathes fast, digestion slows and the palms of his hands sweat.
Robert Kaboyo, a driving instructor explains that many drivers rely on assumption that other road users are sober and responsibly on the road, which is not always the case.
Many times other road users do the least expected things on road, interfering with each others planned speed and invoking emotions like anger and panic.
Kaboyo says such emotions impair the driver’s ability to brake, steer or accelerate. Under such circumstances the driver takes the risks he would otherwise not have taken if he was sober.
Sorrow, depression and anxiety are some of the emotions that affect driving. These emotions slow down the body processes and impair mental alertness.
“Anxiety differs from anger. For example, a driver might be anxious when driving in an unfamiliar, difficult situation and might have trouble identifying hazards,†he says.
Excitement can also affect the driver’s concentration.
How to control emotions
If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to calm down. Get out of the car and take a short walk, but stay off the road until you have regained control of your emotions.
• If you are worried, upset or depressed, try to stay focused on your driving. Chewing gum or listening to radio could help.
• Get an early start to your destination. That way you will be less likely to go over the speed limit and will avoid finding yourself in irritating traffic situations.
• If you are tired, make an effort to control your emotions. A tired person can become upset easily.
• If you are excited or upset, ask someone to drive you. Give yourself a few minutes to relax your mind. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.