Skip to main content

Aggressive drivers make others aggressive

Aggressive driving by one person behind the wheel can result in others following suit. That is the conclusion of a new study carried out by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and tyre manufacturer Goodyear. The conclusion of the research reveals that when one driver behaves aggressively, others will respond with similar behaviour. The study was carried out in 15 separate countries and included close to 9,000 drivers.
December 7, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Aggressive driving by one person behind the wheel can result in others following suit. That is the conclusion of a new study carried out by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and tyre manufacturer 5010 Goodyear. The conclusion of the research reveals that when one driver behaves aggressively, others will respond with similar behaviour. The study was carried out in 15 separate countries and included close to 9,000 drivers.

Of those who participated, 87% said that when other drivers behave badly, they are also likely to do so. And 55% of those surveyed also admitted that when they have been angered by the behaviour of one driver, they may then exhibit a similar reaction to other road users. Meanwhile, when drivers show patience and respect for each other, this behaviour will also be reciprocated and repeated.

Typical triggers for anger at other road users can stem from issues such as tailgating, poor lane discipline, incorrect signalling or careless manoeuvres at junctions.

The study also reveals that certain drivers are not only dangerous themselves but also trigger similar behaviour in others, potentially resulting in crashes elsewhere entirely.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Advances in tyre technology boost performance
    February 7, 2017
    New tyre technology will increase productivity and cut downtime - Mike Woof writes Key advances in tyre technology will offer extended life for customers, as well as substantial gains in productivity and durability. Meanwhile, some major developments are also being seen in the market, with a number of smaller players now accounting for a substantial portion of sales. Important developments for tyre users include new strategies intended to improve tyre life and cut costs for consumers. One of the majo
  • Future funding crisis looms?
    August 13, 2012
    From the UK’s Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) comes data revealing a future funding crisis many governments will face. The IFS study, commissioned by the RAC Foundation, shows that income from motoring taxation will fall as traffic volumes increase. The problem is that increasing fuel efficiency of new generation vehicles, plus the introduction of electric cars, will deliver smaller and smaller returns on fuel taxation. Although fuel is taxed heavily in the UK, and right across Europe, projections show t
  • Dowel bar drilling selection poses challenges
    January 11, 2013
    Pneumatic concrete dowel drills have one purpose – to drill holes. While their intended use is easy to recognize, operation of this equipment isn’t quite so simple. In fact, it’s a bit of a science. That’s not to say they’re difficult to operate. But there are certain best practices and processes to keep in mind for proper drill operation, whether it’s an on-grade, slab-rider or equipment-mounted model. Operators who adopt these guidelines and implement them on every job are rewarded with better performance
  • 9 in 10 building professionals consider abroad move, survey shows
    August 9, 2013
    Professionals are being lured abroad by the prospects of a career overseas, with nine in 10 (90.72%) of those working in the built environment sector considering a move. Research into professionals’ motivations to move abroad, conducted by specialist recruitment site CareerStructure.com, reveals the considerable appeal of working overseas. The prospect of greater salaries, better career opportunities and new experiences has encouraged most of the 1,564 professionals based all over the world who responded to