‘Cognitive errors, personality traitscompromise ability to DRIVE SAFELY’

 

HAVE you ever honked furiously at a slow-moving vehicle or sped past a red light just because you were in a hurry? Do you find yourself gripping your vehicle’s handle tighter when someone zooms past you? Road rage, reckless driving, and general carelessness on the road are often dismissed as mere impatience or lack of discipline. But is there something deeper at play? ‘The Hitavada’ spoke to Dr Shailesh Pangaonkar, a Consultant Psychiatrist, to know why people exhibit certain driving patterns and how unresolved emotions spill onto the streets. “Driving is a skill, much like art, mathematics, or public speaking. A good driver must have good eye-hand coordination, visual-spatial abilities, and emotional stability,” stated Dr Pangaonkar.

 

He continued that the external environment’s effect also mattered as well as distractions and a lack of situational awareness, even among pedestrians. He drew an analogy betweendriving and an examination, “Driving is both a singular anda collective act. It is like an exam. Every time a driver gets behindthe wheel, he/she must treat itas a test of skills, alertness, and ability to coexist with others. This is where individual responsibility meets societal expectations.” Categorising risky drivingbehaviour into driving skills, cognitive abilities, emotional regulation, and personalitytraits, he said, “Certain cognitive errors and personalities make a person prone to mishaps. Those with undiagnosed or underdiagnosed Attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are at a higher risk.”When analysing behaviour across different age groups, Dr Pangaonkar observed that youngsters have conduct disorders, antisocial habits, and a tendency to break rules. ‘Cognitive errors, personality traits... “T

 

hese individuals often had signs of hyperactivity or learning disabilities during childhood, difficulty following directions, distinguishing left from right,” he explained. He believed that roads are a mirror which reflects individuals with low frustration tolerance, or psychological conditioning, tracing back to their upbringing. “Even if they possess good driving skills, these traits can compromise their ability to drive safely,” he noted. Dr Pangaonkar highlighted another dangerous yet often overlooked factor in road accidents - driver fatigue and the hypnotic trance effect. In this state, the driver may be physically present behind the wheel but mentally disconnected from the road, leading to slowed reflexes and delayed reaction times.

 

He further pointed out that the inability to delay gratification is linked to overtaking and breaking traffic rules. “For some drivers, overtaking another vehicle is not just about reaching their destination faster, it becomes a matter of ego. Speed gives them a sense of superiority,” he revealed. While reckless and aggressive drivers are often discussed, ‘anxious drivers’ also play a role in road dynamics.“Anxious drivers tend to be overly cautious, which can sometimes disrupt traffic flow. They hesitate, drive below expected speeds, and second-guess themselves, which can frustrate other drivers behind them. This creates emotional instability in others, sometimes provoking rash overtaking or aggressive honking,” he said. Currently, driving eligibility is largely determined by physical health, with rules ensuring that individuals with sensory deficits, such as blindness, deafness, or mobility impairments are not granted a license. Dr Pangaonkar asserted that granting a driving license should integrate cognitive and behavioural assessments into the licensing process alongside standard sensory tests, to handle realworld driving challenges. While road safety awareness campaigns are conducted by various organisations, including the police department, their impact on long-term behavioural change remains questionable. “

 

In India, as a society, we tend to listen and forget. It is almost like a pep talk given by a school principal before exams. People may acknowledge the importance of safe driving, but when they are back on road, urgency, impatience, and ingrained habits take over,” he remarked. Dr Pangaonkar suggested that road safety education should start in Class VI, where children learn that driving is not just a personal act but a social responsibility. “Most accidents occur due to a loss of sense that one belongs to a society. Many see laws as mere restrictions, not as protective measures,” he concluded.