If you feel like road rage is everywhere these days, you’re not imagining it. According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 96% of drivers admit to aggressive driving in the past year. That includes speeding, tailgating, cutting people off, or even blocking someone from merging. In short, nearly all of us are guilty. To make matters worse, AAA found that aggressive driving is contagious – a never-ending cycle.
Driving Angry Is Basically a National Sport Now
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
AAA’s data shows just how much driving habits have shifted since 2016:
- Cutting off other drivers is up 67%.
- Honking out of anger has jumped 47%.
- Tailgating is down 24%
- Yelling from behind the wheel has dropped 17%.
But here’s where things get really interesting. With cars safer than ever before, many might risk a crash out of impulse because, in the back of their mind, they know their car will keep them unharmed. That sense of invincibility, combined with modern distractions, makes a risky mix. Touchscreens in cars and texting while driving have turned everyday commutes into a minefield. According to AAA, it’s not just you stereotyping – vehicle type really does play a role. Drivers of sports cars, big trucks, and motorcycles are more likely to admit aggressive tendencies. Some even said their vehicles made them feel more powerful or dominant. And although AAA doesn’t mention it, Lending Tree points out Tesla drivers as the worst ones on the road. There are gender and geographical factors, too. Turns out, Boston seems to be the riskiest city for North American drivers, and worldwide data suggests men are worse drivers than women (don’t kill the messenger).
And while 92% of drivers say their aggressive actions are about “getting there faster” or “avoiding danger,” AAA also found that 11% admitted to violent actions like confronting other drivers or intentionally bumping another car.
Turn Signals: A Lost Art
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Despite the shocking stats, AAA insists all hope isn’t lost. Their research shows that small gestures of courtesy can make a big difference. Using your turn signal (looking at you, BMW drivers), letting someone merge, or offering a quick wave can de-escalate tension before it spirals into full-blown road rage. As Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, put it: “Driving can be a stressful experience due to the behaviors of others on the road and how you respond to various situations. Our study finds that experiencing various forms of aggressive driving behaviors is common for almost all motorists, and many drive aggressively. Road etiquette and manners can be a protective factor against aggressive driving.”
Don’t Take the Bait
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So what can you do when someone cuts you off or hugs your bumper like they’re auditioning for Fast & Furious? AAA suggests three simple things:
- Breathe before you react. One deep breath can reset your drive.
- Don’t engage. No eye contact, no gestures, and definitely no retaliation.
- Choose time over tension. Leave earlier so you don’t feel pressured to rush.
At the end of the day, most of us are guilty of letting frustration slip behind the wheel. But if nearly every driver admits to aggressive habits, then the solution starts with nearly every driver, too. Maybe the next time someone ticks you off in traffic, the real power move is just letting it go. Much easier said than done, of course — especially if you’re stuck behind a Tesla in Boston.
