Research on aggressive driving behaviour has been relatively scant despite sustained interest by the media and wider public. The available research can be divided into two main categories: 1) surveys of the driving public and 2) small-scale field experiments involving small samples of drivers. The surveys provide estimates of self-reported, not actual on-road behaviour. The field experiments have generally been designed to provoke aggressive behaviours in a contrived setting. Systematic observational studies of actual, aggressive driving behaviour on highways are not available. These studies are necessary to improve our understanding of the incidence and causes of aggressive driving behaviour. Available definitions of aggressive driving are reviewed. These definitions are quite general and tend to exclude violent exchanges arising from traffic disputes where the intent is to harm another road user i.e. "road rage." They suggest that road rage can be viewed as criminal behaviour that can be more adequately addressed through existing criminal statutes rather than through traffic laws and road safety programs. This review suggests that a more precise definition of aggressive driving would focus on deliberate and willful driving behaviours that while not intended to physically harm another road user show disregard for their safety and well-being. These behaviours are motivated by impatience, annoyance, hostility and/or an attempt to save time. (Author/publisher)
Abstract