Final answer:
Self-imposed anxieties in drivers can negatively influence driving behavior and reaction times, potentially leading to a higher chance of accidents. Stressful driving conditions and the feeling of being observed can increase this anxiety. Beliefs about personal control over outcomes also affect how drivers manage stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Every driver enters into a driving situation with varying amounts of self-imposed anxieties which can negatively influence their driving behavior and reaction times. The awareness of being observed, as noted in the reference, can cause individuals to behave differently, potentially leading to increased stress and affecting their concentration on the road. Furthermore, driver error is a significant cause of fatal auto accidents. Stressful driving situations, such as navigating a crowded freeway, can exacerbate these anxieties, leading to a higher chance of accidents due to a slowed reaction rate. Encountering diverse individuals during commutes can also contribute to stress levels, whether the encounters are direct or indirect. Our self-perception, including the belief that we can control our own outcomes or the opposite belief that our outcomes are outside of our control, plays a role in how we handle the stress of daily commutes.