Road Rage, General Anger, and Anger-Provoking Situations: A Study Based on Driving Logs

The aim of this research was to explore relationships between driving anger, general anger and anger-provoking situations with intensity and duration of the anger, using self-reported measures. Throughout five days driving, thirty seven young drivers filled in a driving log after each travel that they accomplished. Positive correlations were observed on the one hand between driving anger, anger intensity and anger duration on the other hand between general anger and number of anger-provoking situations reported. Over all, these young drivers reported to encounter one anger-provoking situation every 60 kilometers and as well felt anger with middle intensity and during short time period. They were most angered by situations wherein their progress was impeded by a road user. Compared to low anger drivers, high anger drivers reported to encounter more anger-provoking situations and felt anger with higher intensity and longer even if they drove approximately the same kilometres number. Implications for driver interventions were examined.