Unit 07, Lesson 02 - Mental and Emotional Conditions
The Mental and emotional status of a motorist is just as important as his or her physical health. If your mind is not on your driving, you are probably not driving safely. Consider the following four points:
- Some forms of behavior which often provide hints about our emotional and mental health are:
- Finding that you are always mad at other drivers and sometimes try to “get even.”
- Having a tendency to be excessively confused or frustrated when traffic becomes heavy.
- Being so depressed and worried about things that your attention is not always on the road.
- Finding that you are frequently getting traffic tickets.
- Having trouble adjusting to an emotional shock such as the loss of a loved one.
- If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off. Take a walk or talk to a friend. Do anything, but stay off the road until you have cooled down.
- If you are worried about something, do something that will allow you to concentrate on your driving. Listen to the radio or sing to yourself.
- If you are impatient, give yourself extra time. If you leave a few minutes early, you will not feel the need to speed, beat traffic signals, or do other things that can get you a traffic ticket or cause a crash.
Remember, it is your responsibility to find out about and report mental or emotional problems, just as you must for physical problems.
The Driver License Division staff will be happy to provide information about the medical guidelines as they apply to the licensing program. In some circumstances, it might be appropriate for the Medical Advisory Board to review a case.