Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Abstract

Introduction

Aggressive driving and road rage are perceived to be serious threats to public safety and contribute to a substantial number of road traffic crashes each year. Previous work by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) found that in 2014 more than 78% of drivers reported engaging in at least one aggressive driving behavior in the past year, underscoring the high prevalence of such risky behaviors. Changes in driving patterns, lifestyles, and technology (both inside and outside the vehicle) in the past decade may have changed the types of behaviors that road users perceive as aggressive, as well as the causes and contributing factors of aggressive driving behaviors. This study updated previous AAAFTS research on aggressive driving, further explored the etiology of aggressive driving behaviors and related attitudes, and examined how the concepts of aggressive driving and road rage have evolved over time.

Methodology

This study took a three-part approach. Part 1 consisted of a comprehensive literature review and discussions with academic experts. Part 2 involved eight focus group discussions with a total of 53 drivers who admitted to engaging in aggressive driving or road rage behaviors, and subsequent thematic analysis of the qualitative data. Part 3 designed a bespoke questionnaire to measure attitudes towards and engagement in aggressive driving and road rage, which was administered to a nationally representative sample of 3,020 drivers, aged 16 and older, recruited from a probability-based panel. Quantitative analyses examined the prevalence and correlates of aggressive driving and road rage attitudes and behaviors.

Key Findings

• 96% of drivers reported engaging in aggressive driving or road rage behaviors at least once in the previous year
  • 11% of drivers reported engaging in violent behaviors.
• While anger and frustration were the emotions most commonly associated with aggressive driving and road rage, drivers also spoke of anxiety, fear, and pleasure in their experiences of aggressive driving and road rage.
• Drivers perceived that they were generally able to cope with feelings of anger while driving unless “triggered,” which could lead to more violent behaviors.
• Drivers reported many different motivations for driving aggressively including:
  • getting to destinations more quickly
  • perceived threats to safety
  • claiming control over sometimes chaotic driving environments
  • educating other drivers on the correct way to behave
  • retaliating against perceived slights
  • punishing other drivers for bad behavior.
• Younger and male drivers were more likely to report high levels of engagement in aggressive driving.
• Road etiquette and manners appear to be a protective factor against aggressive driving. Drivers who indicated that good manners were important to them were less likely to have high levels of engagement in aggressive driving.
• The most salient predictor of high engagement in aggressive driving was aggressive driving culture, i.e. the extent to which other drivers in your area engage in aggressive driving behaviors.