We all know that physical conditions such as fatigue or eyesight problems can affect your ability to drive safely. Mental conditions, such as emotions, stress or attitude can also affect your driving safety.
Rx for Mental Conditions
Knowing that a condition exists is the first step toward controlling its affect on your driving. If you recognize the signs of excess stress, emotions or attitude as occasional traveling companions, ask yourself what you can do to keep mental conditions from affecting your driving.
Stress
We can’t avoid some stress in our lives. But too much stress can interfere with your driving. Stress creates physical and mental fatigue, slowing your reaction time and reducing your ability to concentrate. It may cause you to behave erratically or be less tolerant of other drivers and road conditions.
Emotions
Anger, grief and worry can rob you of your concentration and your desire to drive safely. Even positive emotions, like happiness at a job promotion or an impending vacation, can result in mental distraction.
Driving Attitude
Some attitudes make us better drivers. Others, such as aggressiveness or inattentiveness, can get in the way of our safety.
Coping With Mental Conditions
Whenever you get behind the wheel, ask yourself if it is safe for you to drive right now.