Pub 129 Safety Talks - APWU

Safety Talks 11-4Stress and Motor Vehicle AccidentsThe problem of stress is just beginning to be understood and isolated asan important factor in human health and behavior. By accelerating thepace of life with everything from supersonic airliners to food processors,technology has subjected men and women to demands on their attention,intellect, and patience unthought of 100 years ago.Given this constant level of ambient stress, it’s no surprise that addingspecific, high-intensity stress, like job or family problems, can changebehavior patterns behind the wheel. Stress, while seemingly a mentalproblem, exerts a powerful influence on the body as well.First, there’s a drop in the number of white blood cells, and increasedproduction of steroids and adrenaline. This reaction by the pituitary andadrenal glands causes profound changes in the body--raised bloodpressure, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and gastrointestinal disturbances as itattempts to adapt to other stress-provoking conditions.Also, stress, with the physical reactions it causes, can be quite tiring. Andfatigue means less tolerance for the actions of other drivers, along withthe unwillingness to do anything extra--such as yielding the right-of-way.This sometimes makes a defensive driver an offensive driver.All this stress-caused aggression leads to accidents. A university study ofcase histories in 1970 found an individual’s likelihood of involvement inan accident increases considerably during divorce proceedings, or whenthe driver is experiencing marriage difficulties, financial troubles, or jobproblems. In short, it confirmed that deep emotional depression andheavy anxiety can be significant contributing factors in traffic accidentsand fatalities.What can be done about stress related accidents?Local government tries its best to control some aspects of traffic safety. Itsets speed limits, examines drivers and safety-checks vehicles. But it can ‘tlegislate against bad days at the office. The responsibility for making surestress does not contribute to accidents rests solely on the shoulders of theindividual.Pub. 129, October 1990