Violent behaviour and emotions of car drivers

Abstract

The paper describes the great variety of emotions present in the violent conduct of car drivers and highlights the broader social determinants and consequences of "violent emotional reactions" in road traffic and their implications for road traffic safety The author advocates the systemic reduction of aggressive and destructive conduct of drivers, which requires a structural strengthening of the culture of interpersonal respect in all areas of everyday life From the criminological point of view, the author argues in favour of a friendlier society, which would be more socially inclusive, integrative, fairer and (therefore) safer in all regards He highlights the socio-psychological aspects of specific emotional risk factors for violent behaviour and justifies the need for making drivers "emotional literate" By making progress on the develomental scale of emotional awareness, car drivers would be more aware of causes, consequences and the phenomenology of emotional responses in traffic. Drivers would thus manage to cope with their emotions in a more constructive way (non-violently and safely) The selection of contents and skills that must be acquired in the process of obtaining a driving licence could be completed with the development of the social and emotional skills of the future drivers