A recent survey found that nine out of ten drivers admit to having felt intense anger toward other
drivers at some time. “Road rage” seems to be on the rise, and several explanations for this have
been presented. First, there are more cars today competing for road space. People are also far more
subject to time constraints. A person who must meet a time deadline, but is caught in a tangle of
traffic, may feel increasingly frustrated. Soon this stress may result in an outburst or road rage ranging
from pounding on the car horn to getting out of the car and attacking another driver.
Of the three major responses to stress which have evolved – fight, flight or freeze – only one is
available to the driver who is suddenly caught behind a dawdler in the fast lane. The car itself prohibits
the driver from fleeing the situation or freezing in one place. The only response left is fight.
Another explanation may be that people are not as courteous as they used to be. A person who is
worried about getting to work on time, having a report ready for the afternoon mail, and running into
the boss while arriving late at the office may forget how to be polite. Other drivers become the enemy
and the car, a weapon.