It does appear that the worst drivers in history are on our roads today.
It seems every time I travel anywhere — near or far — I see vehicles speeding by, or cutting in and out of traffic, or hedging out to make a right turn at a busy intersection, or running a red light or stop sign, or tailgating to intimidate.
It really is approaching epidemic levels.
And then there is that other issue on the roads — road rage.
AAA study: Almost all drivers experience road rage
New AAA Research finds 96% of drivers admit to driving aggressively and also to being on the receiving end of road rage.
A news release from AAA said this:
“If it feels like everyone has road rage these days, that’s because they probably do.”
The study found that more than one in 10 drivers admitted to engaging in violent actions in road rage incidents — including striking another vehicle.
“From speeding and tailgating to cutting off other vehicles, aggressive driving has become a near universal experience — and it’s not just frustrating, it appears to be contagious,” the AAA release said.
And then the study reports this — that the more drivers are exposed to aggressive behavior on the road, the more likely they are to drive aggressively themselves.
AAA says this self-fulfilling cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is fueling a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel.
Other key AAA findings:
• 92% of drivers reported aggressive behaviors that put others at risk, like speeding or cutting off other vehicles. Their top motivators were to get to their destination faster and avoid perceived danger.
• 11% admitted to violent actions such as intentionally bumping another car or confronting another driver.
• Aggressive driving is contagious: Drivers who experienced higher levels of aggressive driving also had higher levels of engagement in aggressive driving.
•The vehicle plays a role: The kind of car you drive could predict how you act — and how others perceive you. Drivers in sports cars, big trucks and motorcycles are often seen as more aggressive. Some drivers say they felt more powerful and dominant behind the wheel of these vehicles.
This latest study updates research originally conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2016, offering a look at how aggressive driving behaviors have shifted over time.
While some behaviors have become more common, others have declined:
Since 2016:
• Cutting off other vehicles is up 67%.
• Honking out of anger is up 47%.
• On the positive side, tailgating is down 24% and yelling at other drivers is down 17%.
How do we stop this dilemma?
AAA encourages drivers to prioritize courtesy and safety to help curb aggressive driving. In fact, the study found that encouraging good road etiquette may be the most effective way to reduce aggressive driving and road rage.
Simple actions — like using turn signals, letting others merge and offering a friendly wave — can help de-escalate tension and create a safer, more respectful driving environment for everyone.
AAA’s top tips if you encounter an aggressive driver:
• Stay calm — Don’t engage and don’t take the bait. No eye contact, no gestures, no response.
• Give space — Let them pass and keep your distance.
• Protect yourself — Call 911 or go to a public place — never drive home.
“Not engaging with the other driver during a road rage incident is key to keeping yourself and others on the road safe,” says Jana Tidwell, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “You never know how far someone is willing to go during one of these incidents and not engaging and staying away from them is your safest bet for avoiding trouble.”
AAA’s top 3 tips to control road rage:
• Breathe before you react — One deep breath can reset your drive.
• Recognize outside stressors — Be aware of when you’re stressed out and more likely to get frustrated behind the wheel. Do things to help you calm down before you get on the road.
• Choose time over tension — Leave early, give space, arrive safe.
We all need to drive to get just about everywhere. Let’s follow the advice of AAA and do our part in turning down the sometimes-rising temperature on our roads.
Honk if you agree.