Driver Overreaction
Driver Overreaction is one of those little driving “gotcha’s” that can kinda’ – well? Get you, - killed!
Overreaction is almost always a result of panic - which of course, is almost always caused by fear. Let’s dissect Driver Overreaction and see if understanding it a little better, might help keep us alive as we drive! There are multiple factors in play here.
There are two basic ways we can react to an emergency. We can Rationally React or we can Panic React. There are also two basic types of road emergencies that we will tend to react to. They are what I like to call the Direct Emergency and the Perceived Emergency.
It is our Physical Reaction Time that allows us to react more or less quickly to the emergency. It is our Rational Reaction Time that allows us to determine the type of emergency, and the correct reaction to it. It is of course, our Experience that teaches us how to sort out the difference! Still with me here? Good, because now we can start to piece it all together.
When we panic, our brain creates a shortcut. Panic doesn’t stop by the Rational Department to sort out a “best option”. No time! The Panic Reaction fires its instructions directly to the Physical Reaction Department. “Get outa’ there!” The body picks off the signal and does whatever it has to do to “get outa’ there!” It doesn’t think. It reacts! The quicker our Physical Reaction Time, the quicker we get “outa’ there!
So a Seagull whacks the windshield while we’re boogying along the beach highway at 60 or so. Do we panic, duck for cover and take the steering wheel with us - flying off the road into the center median or worse, oncoming traffic? Or do we flinch, immediately recognize the event as non -threatening, and quickly regain our composure?
A car backfires right next to us. We tend to react quickly to loud, sudden explosions. But does panic rule, or does our experience suggest immediately that this is a Perceived threat not worthy of excessive evasion maneuvering?
Suppose our Rational Reaction instead determines that the big bang is an eighteen wheeler whose tire has just blown. We quickly decide we need to get out of the way. Hopefully by this time though, our Rational Reaction Department has suggested either a controlled move away from him - or perhaps a burst of speed to put him behind us. Slamming on the brakes or suddenly diving out of our lane (both panic reactions) will either put the emergency directly in front of us or perhaps take out an adjacent vehicle.
A car in the lane right next to you starts to invade your lane. A glance at the driver suggests he’s totally oblivious to you or any other object more than two inches outside his window. A quick toot of the horn and a light stab on the brake pedal is a Rational Reaction. A Panic lane change into the traffic beside you, or braking so hard you lock your wheels and go into a spin - is overreaction.
Some other important Driverthink thoughts on overreaction?
When reacting to an emergency, keep in mind your vehicle’s limitations. No matter how quickly you react, if you ask your vehicle to do more than its capable of, it’s going to do really nasty things to you. It will overreact for you!
Whether young or older, if you are blessed with really fast reflexes, learn to control them. They can get you into serious trouble if you allow them to Panic React before checking with the Rational Reaction Department.
Younger, less experienced drivers can be extremely susceptible to overreaction. Why? They have great reflexes and limited experience. The combination will create a Panic Reaction much more quickly.
Driver Overreaction? It’s all about managing – and controlling, fear.
Overreaction is almost always a result of panic - which of course, is almost always caused by fear. Let’s dissect Driver Overreaction and see if understanding it a little better, might help keep us alive as we drive! There are multiple factors in play here.
There are two basic ways we can react to an emergency. We can Rationally React or we can Panic React. There are also two basic types of road emergencies that we will tend to react to. They are what I like to call the Direct Emergency and the Perceived Emergency.
It is our Physical Reaction Time that allows us to react more or less quickly to the emergency. It is our Rational Reaction Time that allows us to determine the type of emergency, and the correct reaction to it. It is of course, our Experience that teaches us how to sort out the difference! Still with me here? Good, because now we can start to piece it all together.
When we panic, our brain creates a shortcut. Panic doesn’t stop by the Rational Department to sort out a “best option”. No time! The Panic Reaction fires its instructions directly to the Physical Reaction Department. “Get outa’ there!” The body picks off the signal and does whatever it has to do to “get outa’ there!” It doesn’t think. It reacts! The quicker our Physical Reaction Time, the quicker we get “outa’ there!
Now there are times when this chain of events is very effective. The imminent Direct Emergency is of course, one of those times. The threat is coming directly at you. It’s not stopping. It’s not giving you time to think about it. If you don’t do something and fast, it’s going to be “body by crunch” and you are going to be the “body”. Whatever you do, you have nothing to lose.
Overreaction develops, when the Panic mode takes over without first checking with the Rationalization Department. We have a little more time to react, but panic sets in and we don’t take advantage of the additional time.
Overreaction develops, when the Panic mode takes over without first checking with the Rationalization Department. We have a little more time to react, but panic sets in and we don’t take advantage of the additional time.
So a Seagull whacks the windshield while we’re boogying along the beach highway at 60 or so. Do we panic, duck for cover and take the steering wheel with us - flying off the road into the center median or worse, oncoming traffic? Or do we flinch, immediately recognize the event as non -threatening, and quickly regain our composure?
A car backfires right next to us. We tend to react quickly to loud, sudden explosions. But does panic rule, or does our experience suggest immediately that this is a Perceived threat not worthy of excessive evasion maneuvering?
Suppose our Rational Reaction instead determines that the big bang is an eighteen wheeler whose tire has just blown. We quickly decide we need to get out of the way. Hopefully by this time though, our Rational Reaction Department has suggested either a controlled move away from him - or perhaps a burst of speed to put him behind us. Slamming on the brakes or suddenly diving out of our lane (both panic reactions) will either put the emergency directly in front of us or perhaps take out an adjacent vehicle.
A car in the lane right next to you starts to invade your lane. A glance at the driver suggests he’s totally oblivious to you or any other object more than two inches outside his window. A quick toot of the horn and a light stab on the brake pedal is a Rational Reaction. A Panic lane change into the traffic beside you, or braking so hard you lock your wheels and go into a spin - is overreaction.
Some other important Driverthink thoughts on overreaction?
When reacting to an emergency, keep in mind your vehicle’s limitations. No matter how quickly you react, if you ask your vehicle to do more than its capable of, it’s going to do really nasty things to you. It will overreact for you!
Whether young or older, if you are blessed with really fast reflexes, learn to control them. They can get you into serious trouble if you allow them to Panic React before checking with the Rational Reaction Department.
Younger, less experienced drivers can be extremely susceptible to overreaction. Why? They have great reflexes and limited experience. The combination will create a Panic Reaction much more quickly.
Finally, lets be sure not to Overcorrect! Countless tragedies have occurred when, after getting out of trouble, the driver remains panicked and over-corrects right back into it. Once you’ve gotten out of the initial emergency, do a quick “chill” and bring your vehicle smoothly back into safe mode!
Driver Overreaction? It’s all about managing – and controlling, fear.
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