A total of 3,120 drivers were questioned by YouGov for car insurance provider Admiral, with the research showing that 32% of road rage sufferers say that they get angry more than once a week. Meanwhile over a fifth (21%) have argued with another motorist as a result while 36% admitted it makes them drive more aggressively. And almost one in ten (8%) said they’ve followed another driver as a result. 


The research shows that while both men and women get road rage, men are more likely to drive aggressively, have arguments, follow drivers and make offensive gestures as a result of their road rage.


Admiral adds that the main causes of road rage are being cut up by drivers (67%), drivers not indicating (65%) and the general rudeness of other motorists (61%). Driving too slowly (43%) is seen as more annoying than driving too fast (30%).


Admiral spokesman James Carnduff commented: ‘It’s bad enough letting yourself be annoyed by other road users, but following them or even worse, reverting to violence is ridiculous. Getting angry doesn’t achieve anything other than raising your blood pressure and negatively impacting your driving.’



Admiral enlisted transport psychologist and behavioural expert Dr Peter Marsh to explore what motorists can do to combat feelings of road rage and why drivers get angrier in cars. 



Dr Marsh says that drivers think of their car as their personal territory which, as humans, they are programmed to defend. Cars give drivers a sense of mastery and self-control. When this is threatened, they can get frustrated and resent the loss of control. Drivers feel safe and protected enough to be aggressive before making a quick escape.



He suggests drivers open their car windows to reduce their sense of invulnerability and urges them to stay in control by paying attention to their emotions and not get affected by other motorists.

Admiral has also released a video on road rage and preventing it, which is available to view here.