Anger Management Issues in the Form of Road Rage in Adults
Driving can test our patience, even if we’re usually cool and calm. All it takes is a stressful day and an agonizingly slow driver, and we’re in a fit of rage.
Sometimes, our road rage may only ripple on the surface, coming out as a few curse words or hand gestures. But other times, road rage goes beyond feelings of frustration and begins to get out of hand.
Aggressive behaviors, tailgating, or even stopping someone from merging. We may not be proud of it afterward, but when we’re wrapped up in road rage, it can be tricky to calm ourselves. Unfortunately, when road rage leads to aggressive behaviors, it can have dire consequences.
Road rage may seem like nothing serious on the surface. But underlying anger issues can evolve into road rage, impacting your physical, mental, and social health. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and anger management can make it hard for people to seek treatment.
But there is help available. If you or a loved one are concerned about road rage, this article will cover:
- The causes and signs of road rage
- Road rage statistics
- The long-term health effects of road rage
- How to manage and prevent road rage
- Therapeutic approaches for treating road rage
- Available resources and support
- When to seek help for road rage
What Is Road Rage?
Road rage is not the same as driving anger or aggressive driving. While it does involve both elements, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that road rage is when we intentionally use a vehicle or weapon to cause harm to another person on the road.1
However, the views of what classifies as road rage vary. Other experts describe road rage more broadly, saying it involves any expression of anger while driving. This can include yelling obscenities or excessive honking.2,3
How Common Is Road Rage?
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that in 2019, approximately 80% of drivers in the U.S. said they had experienced anger, aggression, or road rage during the last 30 days.2 While this may not be altogether surprising, the consequences of this can be frightening.
Reckless driving can drastically increase the risk of accidents, with speeding contributing to nearly 28% of fatal crashes in 2022.3
Unfortunately, more of us seem to be experiencing road rage since COVID. The number of road rage-related fatalities has risen since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 100 people having been killed by a firearm in a road rage incident through October 2024.4 Why this is, we’re not sure—more research is needed to unpick this one.
Road rage is also more often seen in city areas5, and rates tend to be higher among young males.6 So, evidently, road rage is extremely serious. But what causes it?
What Causes Road Rage?
Road rage is typically caused by situations that occur while driving that provoke a driver’s anger. People susceptible to road rage tend to be hyper-focused on these situations and perceive them as obstacles to a goal. The most common trigger of road rage is hindered progress, such as being slowed down by other drivers.3
People prone to road rage also tend to assume that others are driving in a certain way as deliberate acts of disrespect. Research shows that the most severe cases of road rage are often triggered by perceived slights from other drivers.3 Environmental factors like traffic, longer driving distances, or hot weather can also fuel road rage. Having a weapon in the vehicle can also increase the risk.
Furthermore, psychological factors, such as stress, impulsiveness, or certain mental health conditions, can contribute to road rage. While not all drivers with road rage experience mental illness, these individuals may be more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.3,4
Long-Term Effects of Road Rage
Bouts of road rage may be temporary, but the effects can last long after we’re off the road. In the long run, if you struggle with underlying anger issues, you may experience chronic stress, as well as difficult feelings of anxiety, guilt, or shame.8
Long periods of road rage can also have detrimental effects on our relationships, as well as our quality of life. Road rage may start to affect our work, or could lead to legal problems if we get into a road rage incident that escalates. What’s more, long-term road rage can have a significant impact on our health, as road rage can increase our risk of heart conditions, headaches, and cardiovascular issues.
But while the long-term implications of road rage are clear, the signs that you’re experiencing road rage aren’t always so easy to spot. Let’s explore the indicators of road rage next.
Signs of Road Rage
People prone to road rage may exhibit the following aggressive driving behaviors:2
- Yelling
- Honking
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive gesturing
- Cutting off other drivers
- Abruptly switching lanes
- Stopping another driver from merging
- Driving through a stop sign or red light
In certain instances, people who are experiencing road rage may also throw things, try to run another driver off the road, or deliberately crash into them (like real-life bumper cars!)2
Road rage can also manifest in the body, leading to certain physical signs. These include:3
- Tense muscles
- Faster breathing rate
- Accelerated heart rate
- Changes in brain waves
- Increased electrical activity in the skin
- Clenched fists (or hands clenched around the steering wheel)
Drivers may also feel intense emotions bubble up inside them while experiencing road rage, such as:
- Irritability
- Frustration
- Extreme, uncontrollable anger while driving
How to Deal With Road Rage
The nervous system becomes activated when we experience road rage. Taking steps to calm your body’s physiological responses can help you reduce your susceptibility to road rage and make you less likely to act on this anger.
Short-term strategies for dealing with road include:3
- Listening to a podcast
- Playing calming music
- Pulling over to calm down
- Deep breathing exercises
- Focusing on the surrounding scenery
Managing Road Rage While Driving
Emotion regulation strategies can help you manage your road rage both in the moment and in the long run.3 However, building these skills isn’t quick or simple. It requires consistent practice and involves consciously recognizing your triggers and redirecting your thought patterns.
The first step is recognizing that anger is present in the body. Drivers should then try to reinterpret the situation in a different light to help keep their emotions in check. For example, consider how another driver may be speeding because of an emergency.
If thought replacement strategies do not work, drivers can redirect their attention to safe driving habits. Making the conscious choice to slow down or check blind spots gives the mind a physical task to focus on that may distract from driving anger.
Therapeutic Approaches for Road Rage
Professional mental health treatment is key in managing road rage. A therapist may use the following treatment approaches:7
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A psychological treatment method that focuses on identifying triggers and consciously reframing thought patterns.
- Behavioral Therapy: A therapeutic approach that focuses on modifying unhealthy behaviors.
- Relaxation Techniques: Visualizations, breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can all relieve tension in the body and help drivers stay calm while on the road.
- Mindfulness Practices: Grounding exercises can help motorists stay present in their body to reduce reacting during moments when their emotions are heightened. This may include directing your attention to your breath or taking note of what you can see, hear, or smell.
- Stress Reduction Therapy: Learning to cope with outside sources of stress contributing to road rage—such as work or family issues—may help reduce driving anger.
Road Rage Prevention Tips
Drivers can set themselves up for success with a little logistical planning to create a smooth travel experience. The following are tips that can help prevent road rage before it starts:2
- Use public transportation
- Give yourself extra travel time
- Do not engage if confronted by another driver
- Use your horn or high beams only when necessary
- Plan your route ahead of time to avoid stressful traffic jams
- Practice self-care to build emotional resilience for the future
- Choose parking spots that give you and surrounding cars plenty of space
- Steer clear of aggressive drivers by keeping a safe following distance or avoiding eye contact
When to Seek Help for Road Rage
Oftentimes, people prone to road rage don’t feel as if they have anger issues. But if driving anger is interfering with your day-to-day life or negatively impacting your relationships, anger management can help.
Aggressive driving has also been associated with intermittent explosive disorder (IED). The condition is estimated to affect approximately 2% to 4% of people.8 People with IED exhibit disproportionate, anger-based aggression on a regular basis. Signs that a person may need professional help for IED include mild aggressive behaviors that occur weekly for at least three months or extreme aggressive behaviors that occur three or more times within a year.
The earlier a person recognizes the need for professional mental health support for road rage or other anger issues, the less likely they are to face potentially serious consequences.
Available Treatment Options
Different in-person and online treatment options are available for people looking to address road rage. These include:
- Individual Therapy for Road Rage: Patients work one-on-one with a mental health professional to develop personalized strategies for identifying, understanding, and managing anger with coping mechanisms.
- Group Therapy for Drivers: In-person or online support groups offer a safe, judgment-free environment for drivers to share and learn from one another.
- Online Courses for Controlling Road Rage: Online course programs provide accessible, educational content for how to manage anger while driving.
Seek Support for Road Rage Today
Anger is a natural human emotion. With the help of experts, you can learn how to express your emotions in a safe and healthy way.
Mission Connection Healthcare can provide professional support for mental health conditions that may be contributing to road rage. Our organization can also offer information about outpatient anger management programs for drivers.
If you’re struggling with road rage, call to schedule a consultation for therapy or counseling at 866-706-5017.
References
1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Aggressive Driving and Other Laws. https://www.nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/speeding-and-speed-management/countermeasures/unproven-further-evaluation/aggressive
2. American Automobile Association. (n.d.). Aggressive Driving. https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/aggressive-driving/
3. Bjureberg, J., & Gross, J. J. (2021). Regulating Road Rage. Social and personality psychology compass, 15(3), e12586. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12586
4. Pew Research Center. (2024, November 20). What the data says about dangerous driving and road rage in the U.S. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/11/20/what-the-data-says-about-dangerous-driving-and-road-rage-in-the-us/#road-rage
5. Forbes. (2024, August 27). Road-Rage Violence Is Surging, Data Shows, Often With Deadly Results. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2024/08/27/keep-calm-and-stay-safe-data-shows-road-rage-incidents-are-surging/
6. Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2010). Road Rage: What’s Driving It?. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 7(7), 14–18.
7. American Psychological Association. (2024, May 16). Road rage: What makes some people more prone to anger behind the wheel. https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/road-rage
8. Ciesinski, N. K., Drabick, D. A. G., Berman, M. E., & McCloskey, M. S. (2024). Personality Disorder Symptoms in Intermittent Explosive Disorder: A Latent Class Analysis. Journal of personality disorders, 38(1), 34–52. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2024.38.1.34
