From speeding and tailgating to cutting off other vehicles, aggressive driving and road rage have become a near universal experience — and they appear to be contagious. A staggering 96% of drivers in a new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study admitted to engaging in aggressive driving behaviors over the past year.
The study included a nationwide survey of over 3,000 drivers and several focus groups. Key findings included:
- Red light running and passing on the right top the list of aggressive behaviors. The five most prevalent aggressive behaviors were:
- Speeding up when a traffic light is changing from yellow to red; 82% admitted to engaging in the behavior.
- Using the right (slow) lane to pass another vehicle (68%).
- Honking the horn when another driver does something inappropriate, rather than to avoid a crash (66%).
- Glaring at another driver in response to something they did on the road (65%).
- Driving 15 mph faster than the normal flow of traffic (58%).
- Road rage occurs at alarming rates. 11% of respondents acknowledged taking violent actions, such as intentionally bumping another car or confronting another driver; 20% of respondents said that they personally know someone who has been threatened by a weapon in a road rage incident.
- Aggressive driving is contagious. Drivers who witness higher levels of aggressive driving are more likely to drive aggressively themselves.
- Drivers of certain vehicles are perceived to be more aggressive. Drivers of sports cars, pickup trucks and motorcycles are often seen as more aggressive. Some drivers said that they feel more powerful and dominant behind the wheel of these vehicles, and people who see their vehicles as an extension of their personality were more likely to report high levels of aggressive driving.
AAA research showed that while some aggressive driving behaviors have become more common, others have declined since 2016:
- Cutting off another vehicle on purpose increased from 12% to 20%.
- Honking to show annoyance or anger increased from 45% to 66%.
- Making an angry gesture increased from 33% to 37%.
- Tailgating another vehicle decreased from 51% to 39%.
- Yelling at another driver decreased from 47% to 39%.
“The cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is fueling a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “To help curb aggressive driving, drivers should prioritize courtesy and safety. Simple actions like using turn signals, letting others merge and offering a friendly wave can help de-escalate tension and create a safer ride for everyone.”
AAA offers the following advice to avoid aggressive driving and road rage:
- Choose time over tension. Leaving plenty of time to get to your destination can reduce the temptation to speed or frustration you may feel if you’re stuck in traffic.
- Breathe before you react. One deep breath can reset your drive. If you’re already upset before heading out, don’t drive until you’ve calmed down.
- Don’t take the bait. Ignore aggressive drivers. Should you encounter an angry or aggressive driver:
- Stay calm and don’t engage. Avoid eye contact, don’t make gestures and avoid using your horn. Never exit the vehicle to argue with or engage another driver.
- Give space. Let the driver pass and keep your distance.
- Protect yourself. If you feel threatened, do not drive home. Call 911 and drive to a public place.
20 Thoughts on “AAA Study Finds 96% of Drivers Admit to Driving Aggressively”
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So sorry, but today must of this aggressive drivers, if u can call them drivers are teenagers third generation, and don’t get me wrong, we have a lot of adults that they think they still kids, and they act stupid behind the stering wheals, I feel so sorry fort this jung kids losing there live so Jung, I think we steel need more officials on our streets. Each day things getting worse and worse, I hope that a lot of this people do not suffer in d venesuela
I have driven on the Autobahn and in my experience there is rarely someone in the left lane who’s not passing another vehicle. People really follow the rules and it improves traffic flow and reduces stress while driving, making it much safer for everyone. The combination of distracted driving and vehicles sitting in the left lane, going the same speed at the vehicle next you them jam up traffic and increase frustration creating dangerous travel conditions. Another observation I’ve noticed is truckers not abiding by basic rules, particularly sitting in the left lane going under the speed limit. How can we advocate for state troopers to prioritize addressing left lane hogs, distracted drivers and aggressive (speeding, weaving, etc.), in that order? I can’t wait for anonymous driving vehicles to proliferate the highways! Tesla’s FSD really reduces the stress of driving.
I worked my entire career as a first responder, so I know what constant stress feels like. I am very concerned regarding the current state of aggressive driving. Speeding up to catch a yellow light that inevitably turns into running a read light is very dangerous, and puts others at risk. Remember driving is a privilege we all need to have access to in order to live our lives, but it doesn’t entitle you to put others in harms way. Take a breath, drive the speed limit or just slightly over it, be patient and courteous as if that other driver is a friend or family member. Arrive alive!
You wrote, “Drive as if the other driver were a friend or family member.” They may in fact be!
I’m a driving instructor I teach drivers Education. A lot of my students think it’s OK to speed because their Parents do. This drives me crazy I see this all the time, when I tell my students that their Parents are so wrong, they laugh this is not funny and very dangerous, everybody is in a hurry. People seem to think that speed limits and stop signs are only a suggestion. Speed Limits and Stop signs are in place for a reason. Parents are a huge influence on their children. I wish they would do the right thing and think about the safety of their children and other people on the road, if everyone followed the rules that are in place there would be fewer accidents and a lot less road rage.
I don’t drive aggressively. It’s pointless, causes agitation, and accomplishes nothing. It took me a long time to train myself away from Type A driving, but the most significant factor was attending three separate performance driving classes. I’ve learned several valuable skills that I use almost daily. The most important is to ALWAYS look ahead – far ahead. You can see not only what’s in front of you, but also what’s going to be in front of you in a few seconds. And . . . I know how long it takes to brake in an emergency. I guarantee the nitwit who is tailgating and performing reckless lane changes at 65+ mph has no clue and, unfortunately, will only find out when it’s too late. Look ahead, keep distance, and prioritize what’s important in your life. BTW, does anyone else notice that drivers doing the most stupid tricks are driving the same make of car? Just saying . . .
I do observe all these behaviors with some regularity, and have learned to stay alert. But I worry about the other drivers. I figure they are having a grumpy day in general, or maybe are getting desperate for their next toileting break. It does surprise me that so many are willing to confess, almost as if they see aggressive driving as something of which to be proud.
So long as my car and I don’t get entangled with theirs, I can’t complain. Comfortable seating, effective climate control, good stereo, privacy: For me, driving is a time of relaxation, not rage.
Police in the state of Massachusetts are NOT stopping motorist who run red lights, stop signs, not stopping for school buses (just saw another one today), speeding, zipping in and out of lanes, using phones while driving, I have to honk at every street light system because everyone is texting and or spending more attention to there phone, look at all the busy intersections that are backed up because 10 more vehicles could have made the light ! Mom’s driving their kids to school everyday while on the phone not paying attention and teaching their children its OK to use your cell phone. I could write another 10 minutes and not cover everything. Pull these people over and WRITE THEM A TICKET ! COVID is over, police are not enforcing traffic laws anywhere in this state. Never do I see a motorist pulled over anymore, NEVER ! Bill Belichick quote, DO YOUR JOB law enforcement !
I drive up and down the east coast, this happens in every state, not just Massachusetts. I find Florida and New York to be the worst states for poor driving. In Florida, a state with no auto inspections I see an awful lot of duct tape holding bumpers on, covering broken headlights, brake lights and tail lights. Bald tires are common in Florida too, I used to wonder why they had so many accidents after just rain (there little to no snow or ice in Florida). Duct tape is also common on broken car windows in Florida too. I used to hate car inspection time in Massachusetts, but I now see the purpose. People will not properly maintain their cars on their own.
I’m surprised by this statistic. I think of myself as belonging in the 4%; I suspect at least one-third of drivers would say they belong in the 4%. But I’ve found that obeying speed limits and other traffic laws and signs makes my life so much more relaxed; most of the stress is taken out of driving. People should calculate how much (little) time driving 5 or 10 miles an hour faster actually saves.
Call me aggressive, but if there’s one place I DON’T want to be, it’s “in the flow of traffic.”
I agree with 100% Some states like Arizona will ticket drivers for simply traveling in the left lane and slowing traffic.
You stole my thunder. I don’t know what they teach in drivers ed nowadays. Not traveling in the passing lane should be one of of them. That’s your passing on the right statistic. I see it all the time.
I am not an aggressive driver. I am very concerned that new vehicle manufacturers advocate speeding, and aggressive driving in their commercials. Secondly, I notice a significant amount of speeding and aggressive driving since the legalization of marijuana, which has driven up insurance rates.
Distracted driving is the main cause of aggressive driving in my opinion. So many drivers are not paying attention to what they’re doing. Using cellphones, GPSs, eating, disciplining their children etc. I drive aggressively to get away from people not paying attention. The left lane is for passing but people just sit out there under the speed limit so I have to pass them all in the right lane! Others meander all over the lanes because they’re texting. Sorry, I don’t follow bad drivers that are about to cause an accident.
I don’t filp them off, or blow the horn, I just get the heck away from them before they cause an accident and kill me or someone else.
Hi, Manny.
While I mostly agree with your post, there are occasionally times when it’s necessary to give a little bit of a honk of the horn in order to make an aggressive or irresponsible driver aware of one’s presence.
When an aggressive driver is about to blow through a STOP sign or a red light, or back out of a driveway or parking space without regard for the traffic and therefore cause an accident, a little toot of the horn is generally enough to let them know that they’re about to cause an accident and/or endanger you.
I am that rare 4% who does not engage in road rage. The 96% of aggressive drivers make it dangerous and stressful to be a driver or pedestrian. What is wrong with these people and what do you suggest can be done to stop or lessen their aggression? Please write a follow up article.
Personally, I think police need to enforce the law, give citations, and drivers licenses need to be taken away. Money from citations can pay for the enforcement.
Hi, Paula.
You’ve made some very good points. Suggesting that a follow up article be written is also a good point. Thanks.
There is usually a cause for people to drive aggressively, the main reason are road hogs driving slow in the left lane, stopping the flow of traffic, that in turn causes people to pass on the right, the blind side, putting everyone at danger.
THIS is what the police should enforce
PASS LEFT KEEP RIGHT.
Road rage would diminish , at least mine would.
I agree with you totally, thank you!