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

  • Adavances in concrete vibration technology
    December 13, 2018
    The use of controlled frequency vibration (CFV) technology and its applications in construction continue to grow - *Paul Jaworski Controlled frequency vibration (CFV) technology has been around since the mid-1990s for concrete pavement applications. The technology has seen a gradual increase in acceptance, particularly in certain applications. For the 0-37mm (1.5”) slump pavement mix designs, many contractors were experiencing material separation due to speeds over 8,000vibrations/minute (VPM). With the wi
    Read More
  • Repair, recycling and warm mix technology at Italy’s Asphaltica exibition
    May 15, 2017
    As the name might suggest, the Asphaltica show in Verona, Italy was a good place to catch up on new ideas and applications for bitumen technology. Kristina Smith picked out a few highlights. Like many of its European neighbours, much of Italy’s road network is in dire need of love and attention. This was a constant theme for the Asphaltica show which was held alongside SaMoTer in Verona from 22-25 February. Speaking at the opening ceremony for the two shows, Michele Turrini, president of SITEB, which repres
    Read More
  • Proven safety barrier installation practices
    June 27, 2013
    Barrier selection criteria should pay close attention to risks for stretches of road as well as regulations. Roadways need to have barriers to provide passive protection for users and to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a vehicle leaving the roadway. A wide array of regulations and legislation covers the design and installation of barriers on Europe’s roads. However, there are still a number of loopholes for certain types of roadside protection and further agreement is required to close th
    Read More
  • Increase in fatal vehicle crashes across US
    December 4, 2015
    A worrying increase in fatalities from vehicle crashes has been noted in the US during the first half of 2015. This comes in the wake of several years of improvements in road safety. A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the first six months of 2015 shows that motor vehicle fatalities increased 8.1% compared to the same period last year.
    Read More

Highlighted Content