"Far too many" U.S. drivers engage in road rage: survey

Road rage in the United States may be much more common than people think.

Nearly 80 percent of U.S. drivers admitted that they have expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the past year, according to a new study released this week by the nonprofit AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The "most alarming" finding is that about 8 million U.S. drivers engaged in the most aggressive forms of road rage, including purposefully ramming another vehicle or getting out of the car to confront another driver.

"Inconsiderate driving, bad traffic and the daily stresses of life can transform minor frustrations into dangerous road rage," Jurek Grabowski, director of Research for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, said in a statement.

"Far too many drivers are losing themselves in the heat of the moment and lashing out in ways that could turn deadly."

The results were based on a national survey of 2,705 licensed drivers aged 16 and older who reported driving in the past 30 days.

According to the study's estimates, 51 percent of U.S. drivers, or 104 million people, purposefully tailgate others on the road, while 47 percent, or 95 million drivers, yell at another driver.

Meanwhile, 45 percent, or 91 million drivers, honk to show annoyance or anger, while 33 percent, or 67 million drivers, make angry gestures.

Other common forms of angry and aggressive behaviors include trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes, cutting off another vehicle on purpose, getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver, as well as bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose.

Overall, nearly two in three drivers believe that aggressive driving is "a bigger problem" today than three years ago, while nine out of ten believe aggressive drivers are "a serious threat to their personal safety," the survey found.

However, aggressive driving and road rage varied considerably among drivers.

Male and younger drivers aged 19 to 39 were significantly more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors.

For example, male drivers were more than three times as likely as female drivers to have gotten out of a vehicle to confront another driver or rammed another vehicle on purpose.

In addition, drivers living in the Northeast were significantly more likely to yell, honk or gesture angrily than people living in other parts of the country.

"It's completely normal for drivers to experience anger behind the wheel, but we must not let our emotions lead to destructive choices," said Jake Nelson, AAA's director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research.

"Don't risk escalating a frustrating situation because you never know what the other driver might do. Maintain a cool head, and focus on reaching your destination safely." Endit