The psychology behind road rage

Road rage expert and Senior Research Fellow at Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, Dr Amanda Stephens, discusses what road rage is and, more importantly, how it can be avoided.

What is the definition of road rage?


Road rage is something we’re likely all guilty of succumbing to on occasion, but it can mean different things to different people – some drivers describe it as any conflict or annoyance on the road, while others view it as the extreme violence we may see on the news. “We usually refer to aggressive driving, which can encompass a range of different ways people express their anger while driving, from sounding the horn, to using their vehicle to show they are angry, through tailgating or speeding, to the extreme acts of rage,” says Dr Stephens.

What are the main types of road rage?


There are three typical ways people express their anger during a bout of road rage: verbally (swearing, yelling or gesticulating), using the vehicle (speeding, tailgating, dangerous overtaking) or physical (confronting the other driver). “In terms of prevalence, the more extreme the behaviour, the less frequent it is,” says Dr Stephens.

Sounding the horn or gesticulating when angry is quite common with most drivers doing that at some point (70-80 per cent), while up to half of drivers may have driven closely to the car in front of them when angry, and only a very small percentage engage in extreme displays of anger. “This also doesn't mean that they do this every time they drive, or every time they are angry,” says Dr Stephens. “It means that at least on one occasion this is how they responded to being angered on the road. Most people will most often deal with their anger in a constructive way.”

Is the problem getting worse?

Australia is broadly similar to other countries in terms of situations that make drivers angry – slower drivers tend to be anger-provoking, as is discourtesy or hostility from other drivers.

When drivers are asked whether they are becoming more aggressive, research shows that most drivers – about 70 per cent – say they have become less aggressive over time.

“Drivers who identify with road rage are more likely to view other drivers as also being aggressive on the road, which speaks to a perception of the driving culture,” says Dr Stephens.

Is a bit of road rage normal?

Anger is a normal response to threat, and with driving being a safety-critical task, an anger response behind the wheel is sometimes inevitable. The key is to manage that anger appropriately so it doesn’t turn into aggression, putting yourself and fellow drivers at higher risk. How we feel before we get in the car can also influence how we are as drivers. Likewise, if we have other life pressures, these accompany us in the car and can shape how we evaluate and respond to driving events.

“When we are angry, we’re more vulnerable to interpret behaviours of others as deliberate and hostile, and react accordingly, or we may have generally lower tolerance for what happens during the drive,” says Dr Stephens. “We don't leave our stress or emotion at the car door – we carry it with us like a passenger and it can influence what we do behind the wheel and also what happens when we get out of the car.”

Is road rage more prevalent in large cities?


There is more opportunity for conflict in larger cities because there are more road users and more exposure to anger-provoking situations, which can include danger from others, travel delays, and negative interactions with other road users.

Is road rage an issue because people feel safely insulated and anonymous in their car?


“Yes, there is some research from the US showing that anonymity is a factor,” says Dr Stephens.

Research out of the UK has also shown that anger while driving is more related to blame than in other contexts, which is likely also because of the lack of many social cues due to us being in our vehicles.

What is the gender split for road rage incidents?

Research reveals that usually males tend to report more frequent aggression compared to females.

What are some of the techniques you can practice to avoid road rage or defuse an incident if you’re on the receiving end?


Different strategies work for different drivers – a factor Dr Stephens has taken into account while developing a program called Reducing Aggressive Driving (RAD) which is an initiative for drivers who are partial to road rage.

“We get drivers to develop and implement their own strategies to help avoid or manage anger while driving,” says Dr Stephens. “Many of our participants found that having music in the car worked, while others tried a rethink, ‘Will this matter in the near future? If not, don’t worry now’.”

Other solutions included better journey planning to avoid stress from traffic or being late, or personalising the other driver (what if they are your mum, kids or boss?). “If a person feels like road rage is becoming a problem for them, these techniques can really help.”