A new survey suggests that one in ten drivers experience road rage every time they get behind the wheel – with tailgating the main offender.
The survey, conducted by iCompario, questioned 2,000 UK drivers on how often they experience road rage – and the triggers that are most likely to cause it
Roughly two-thirds of respondents (65%) claimed to experience road rage at least once a month – while 10% said they experienced it on every journey.
The most common time of day to feel road rage is during the morning commute – a third of respondents (33%) named this as the worst time of day for their anger.
As to why, 49% admit to ‘seeing red’ when drivers tailgate them – the most common cause.
A third (34%) say they feel furious when they see other motorists using a mobile phone – and 28% when other drivers ‘hog the middle lane’.
When it comes to driving particularly slowly (30%) or quickly (31%), these driving traits annoy UK motorists to an almost identical extent.
iCompario warns that road rage and aggressive driving ‘can lead to the most serious road traffic accidents’. They spoke with Dennis Relojo-Howell, managing director of the psychology website Psychreg and doctoral researcher in clinical psychology at the University of Edinburgh, about the issue.
Mr Relojo-Howell said: “The stress of driving can have several adverse effects on the body, including increased blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension.
“When the body is in a state of stress, it releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can cause a range of health problems over time. Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to chronic conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and even depression.
“To resist the urge to get angry behind the wheel, it’s important to practise self-control and mindfulness. Drivers can do this by taking deep breaths, counting to ten, and reminding themselves that they are in control of their emotions.
“Another effective strategy is to avoid confrontations with other drivers and focus on the road ahead. It can also help to plan ahead, avoid rush hour traffic, and leave plenty of time to reach your destination.”
New research, published earlier this month, found that aggressive drivers have a 5km/h mean faster speed than non-aggressive drivers – and make more mistakes.
The study, carried out by the University of Warwick, measured the changes in driving that occur in an aggressive state.
That 1 in 10 stat is quite similar to the 1 in 10 people in the UK Gov Transport Attitudes Surveys who oppose 20mph limits. I suspect that they are the same group of people. My experience is that this 10% who oppose get far more angry at the prospect of anything interfering with their driving than the more chilled 70% who support 20mph limits. And if the standard of their driving is anything like their angry opposition when campaigning then they certainly are the ones being targeted by mandatory 20mph limits. Its because of their attitudes that 20mph speed limits are required to make our communities liveable and better places to be.
Rod King, Lymm, Cheshire
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I wonder if the University would undertake a pre-scheme study in Wales before Default 20mph speed limit comes in to force in September and repeat it a year later?
Pat, Wales
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