Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The wheel

Have you ever been in a rush to get to work, school, or any destination and stuck behind a slow driver? Traffic is one of the most annoying and aggravating dilemmas that many individuals deal with on a day to day basis. The problem of heavy traffic arises daily on the I-10 freeway of Arizona, often times this traffic is unnecessary. Arizona drivers driving ten miles per hour under the speed limit in the left lane on the I-10 freeway cause unnecessary traffic. Slow-moving drivers make it difficult and frustrating for other drivers to reach their destination in a safe and timely manner those in a rush should change their selfish ways and reap the rewards.

 There are internal and external causes for driving slow on the freeway. Some people are affected by previous accidents and suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the journal article “Virtual Reality Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Due to Motor Vehicle Accident” the issue of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from vehicle crashes is shown, “The psychological consequences of motor vehicle collisions have swept through this population with such intensity that vehicular collisions have now been identified as the leading cause of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the Vietnam War” (Wiederhold & Wiederhold, 2010, p. 21).  Drivers who have suffered an accident or injury on the road tend to be fearful on the freeway and slow down as they are affected by their past experiences. A second cause for slow moving drivers is age and health related concerns due to the aging process. Deterioration of reflexes and the body as well as arthritis in joints causes slow driving. A third cause is the lack of experience that comes from being a newly licensed driver who has not become automatic in their driving. According to the auto insurance company Esurance (2016), “And these drivers can overcompensate for this lack of confidence by staying away from the gas pedal and causing traffic to build up” (para. 9). A different view of causes is those who are in a rush, who may be upsetting these slow drivers by riding them or cutting them off as a result these slow drivers only drive slower in an attempt to get even or make a point. Finally, people that are new to the area or new on the freeway have a tourist like view of exploring the surroundings and slow down to make themselves aware of where they are so they do not miss their exit.

Slow drivers contribute to harmful and negative effects that are leading causes of accidents, unnecessary traffic, and road rage. Each day most Americans start their day with traffic reports in media and discuss at great length the incidents of their time spent on the freeway. The auto insurance company Esurance (2016) advises against slow driving “Because of the accident risk involved, it's important to avoid driving significantly slower than other drivers and to stay aware of drivers on the crawl” (para. 3). The automobile operator's slow down to look at accidents out of curiosity, which becomes a vicious cycle that results in unnecessary traffic. Maneuvering over the road and produces the negative effect which is called road rage in which 69% of drivers said slow drivers made them angry (Crimmins & Callahan, 2003, p. 382). Drivers who are concerned with being placed at risk by the deliberate actions of slow driving suffer from road rage. As the journal article “Reducing Road Rage: The Role of Target Insight in Advertising for Social Change” states, “It appears that anger on the road is less a response to traffic congestion and more a response to the perceived willful actions of others that endanger or offend us, that "insult" our safety or self-image” (Crimmins & Callahan, 2003, p. 383). These actions lead to the perception that slow drivers are deliberately causing congestion, accidents, and hurting others. For example, there is a slow driver in front of your car, you ride the car in an attempt to speed that car up however, you only anger the slow driver so as a result he/she slows down even more just to make a point.

        The Arizona Department of Transportation has set current solutions to solve the problem of slow drivers causing traffic and road rage. Much time is spent on gathering statistics of how our roadways work and how people are getting around on the I-10 freeway in Arizona. Data is gathered by the Arizona Department of Transportation and sent to multimedia sources to be disseminated to the general public. Traffic cameras to keep those at home informed on traffic conditions and possible delays.  Right lanes on the freeway are open specifically for drivers traveling at slower speeds. Visuals such as handicap signs on the license plate of a vehicle can indicate to fellow drivers that the vehicle may drive at slower speeds. There is also the option of seeking counseling for road rage. Currently these solutions are not working effectively because ultimately it is up to the individual to truly desire and allow change in their life as stated by licensed psychologist Robert M. Fraum, “This level of counseling works best drivers for who are highly motivated and committed to change” (Fraum, 2015).