British drivers admit to road rage attacks

More than five million British drivers confess to causing road rage offences on our roads, according to a new report.

The ‘Courtesy on the Road’ report reveals that 16% of motorists admit to initiating a road rage incident. Interestingly, nearly two thirds (65%) of drivers said they felt that music influenced their behaviour whilst driving. While the same number (65%) believed that listening to certain types of music could cause road rage.

DriveSafe, an independent road safety organisation, conducted research, analysed by experts at Aston University, which worryingly shows that 43% of motorists in the UK have said they have been a victim of road rage. More than half (55%) of the motorists polled thought that men under the age of 25 years old were the worst offenders.

Significantly, seven in ten (70%) motorists felt that the type of car someone drives can attract more aggression from road rage offenders.

62% believe there isn’t enough attention given in schools to road safety and driver education. While, more than two thirds (68%) of the motorists surveyed thought there should be training and an examination in ‘being courteous on the road’ at school.

In response to this, DriveSafe is calling for the Government to make it mandatory for all school children to be given some form of training and education in being courteous on the road - 70% of drivers polled said they felt schools should be allowed to offer a qualification in road user education.

Fay Goodman, personal safety expert and spokesperson from DriveSafe said: “It’s concerning that so many drivers have been affected by incidences of road rage. Education is key to ensuring that drivers are taught not only the skills of how to drive a car, but also how to behave appropriately when behind the wheel. It is essential that learner drivers are taught early on how to drive responsibly on the road.”

Dr Carol Holland, spokesperson from Aston University said: “This initial investigation suggests that experience and fear of aggression on the roads is perhaps a bigger issue than previously thought. We hope to continue the research to examine the effect of this on the freedom with which women drivers feel they can conduct their travel, and the way in which people adjust their driving to take account of these fears”.