Shakin' Street — A Parkinson's Blog

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The Hawthorne Effect: the effect on the behavior of individuals of knowing that they are being observed — American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology

As a way to monitor my driving skills, I have recently been using the AARP SafeTrip iPhone app. When I’m behind the wheel, the app employs whizbang smartphone technology to grade my speed, acceleration, braking, cornering, and phone usage.

I’ve had the app for almost a month. My average score has varied from a high of 90 to a low of 84 out of 100. In the most recent two week-grading period, I’ve scored an 89 — an A-minus.

In the eyes of this particular tool, Phil Bernstein is still a decent driver. “Mid to high 80’s” will be my baseline going forward.

Almost as interesting as the score — and if you don’t find my score interesting, please remember you’re sharing the road with me — is the effect on my driving behavior:

During the first week I had the app, it penalized me on just about every trip for speeding. I am now much more conscious of the speed limit, and rarely receive a speeding deduction.

The app says I have a tendency to brake too hard. I’m working on that — giving the cars in front of me more distance, trying to anticipate slowdowns.

The other significant change is my relationship to the phone in the car. It generally sits in the passenger seat next to me.

I never talk on the phone or text when I drive. If the phone rings, the call goes to voice mail. But over the years I developed the habit of looking at my email at red lights.

The app knows when I do that. So I’ve stopped doing that.

This is Hawthorne Effect in action. The act of being observed has made at least one 64-year-old Parkinson’s patient a safer driver.

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BONUS FOR THOSE WHO READ TO THE BOTTOM

Richard Simmons died last week. In his prime he made an ad for ESPN Sports Center that still makes me laugh.

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From the I Had No Idea Desk: I always assumed that Dobie Gray did the original version of “Drift Away.” I was surprised to learn that while Gray had the hit in 1973, the song was originally released by British singer Mike Berry a year earlier. Here’s the original.

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