Pessimism Could Increase Your Risk of a Car Accident, Study Says

 Posted on April 07, 2016 in Personal Injury

Pessimism, or a negative bias, has an impact on almost every aspect of your life, including your mood, relationships, and even your health. Now, science has added a new potential risk for those that see the world as a half empty glass: they may be more prone to experiencing motor vehicle accidents.

Negative Bias Increases Response Time to Negative Stimuli

In the study, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Psychology interviewed 38 drivers with at least three years of driving experience. Using the number of penalty points on their driving records, the participants were then split into two groups – 23 were considered “safe” drivers and 15 were considered “dangerous” drivers.

All drivers were asked to view a series of photographs and determine if they had a red border or blue border. Each was meant to incite a negative, positive, or neutral emotion. Those in the dangerous driving group took slightly longer to identify the border colors of negative emotion photographs than those in the safe driving group. According to the authors, this suggests that negative drivers may take longer to respond to negative stimuli while driving.

Other Factors That May Increase Your Risk of an Accident

There are many risk factors that increase your odds of a traffic accident or injury. Those most frequently cited include age, use of excessive or inappropriate speed, gender, social status, experience, and health. Where you live can also have an impact on your chances of experiencing an accident. For example, those that live in rural areas are often more at risk when they must drive in urban areas. Lastly, daily decisions can influence the odds of a crash; intoxication, fatigue, weather conditions, and time of day are working examples of these factors.

Always Take Precautions

Regardless of your risk factors, it is important to take important safety precautions every time you get behind the wheel. Examples include not driving while intoxicated or fatigued, always wearing your seatbelt, and performing required maintenance on your vehicle as scheduled. Of course, even the most careful driver can experience an accident. As such, it is important to know what to do, should it happen to you or someone you love.

With more than a century of combined experience, the skilled attorneys at Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. can help you navigate the complex road to justice. Committed and compassionate, we understand the mental, physical, and emotional impact that an accident can have on your life and the lives of those you love. Contact our knowledgeable Kane County car accident lawyers at 630-907-0909 to learn more and schedule your free initial consultation today.

Sources:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/car-accident-negativity-car-crash-370894

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/activities/roadsafety_training_manual_unit_2.pdf