Controlling emotions self awareness — Rhode Island Permit Test

Because strong emotional responses are learned, you can also learn to control them.

A driver who believes their temper is fixed never tries to change how they react in traffic.

Since strong emotional responses are learned, you also can learn to control them.

Many traffic situations are frustrating because drivers do not allow enough time for trips, so good trip planning prevents many problems.

Running late turns every red light and slow truck into a reason to get angry.

Many traffic situations are frustrating because we fail to allow enough time for trips.

Expect other drivers to make mistakes; they may be distracted or inexperienced, and their mistakes may be ones you have made or will make.

A driver who expects perfect drivers around them is angry every time someone forgets to signal.

The more you drive, the more you will realize that all drivers make mistakes.

Emotions are contagious in traffic: anger spreads from driver to driver, but so do smiles and courtesy.

Yelling at one driver can start a chain of angry drivers taking it out on the next car.

Realize that smiles and courtesy can be spread among drivers just as easily as frustrations and anger can.

Direct your emotions at actions rather than at the person; other drivers do not know your goals and have nothing against you.

Taking a cut-off as a personal insult is how a small mistake becomes a fight.

Remember, that other drivers do not know your goals or have anything against you.

Why does the manual say you can learn to control strong emotional responses?

Because they are learned. A driver who believes their temper is fixed never tries to change how they react in traffic. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.23: “Since strong emotional responses are learned, you also can learn to control them.”