Road rage is an epidemic on the nation's roads, according to dash cam maker Nextbase, with nearly one and six drivers admitting to being victims of aggressive driving.
NextBase says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as when someone commits several traffic offenses that put others in danger or risk damaging property. Examples include tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, running red lights, or passing improperly.
It also cites a recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study that found nearly 80% of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the 30 days prior to the study. Those who took part in the AAA study admitted to the following;
- Aggressive lane switching or tailgating: 26% (57 million drivers)
- Making rude gestures or honking at other drivers: 32% (71 million drivers)
- Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway: 48% (106 million drivers)
- Running a red light: 31% (68 million drivers)
- Passing in front of a vehicle at less than a car's length: 22% (49 million drivers)
- Speeding up when another vehicle attempts to overtake you: 25% (55 million drivers)
- Following closely behind the vehicle in front to prevent others from merging: 34% (75 million drivers)
- Merging into traffic even when another driver is trying to close the gap between vehicles: 28% (62 million drivers)
Nextbase says its dash cams are capturing examples of these road rage characteristics worldwide from the point of view of those who are falling victim. In light of this, the company conducted its own study to determine the extent of motorists witnessing or being involved in road rage and to identify the types of drivers typically responsible for such incidents.
Nextbase says it found that Ford drivers incite road rage the most, followed by Toyota and Volkswagen drivers. In terms of age groups, the study found that nearly half of aggressive drivers are Millennials with Gen-X a distant second:
- 59% of drivers have fallen victim to road rage
- Tailgating has been revealed as the most common act of road rage (27.21%)
- Almost three in every four male drivers admit to being involved in road rage incidents. Just over 1 in five females admit the same
- Nearly half of aggressive drivers are Millennials (46.65%)
- Ford drivers incite road rage the most (9.25%)
To see this incredibly comprehensive study in its entirety, click here.
Image credit: AVA Bitter/Shutterstock.com.