What is it about getting behind the wheel of a car that brings out those feelings of hatred and anger?
At least, that's the case for approximately 79 per cent of all Canadian drivers, who 'fessed up to feelings of road rage in a recent survey from online car insurance comparison service, Kanetix.ca.
And despite plenty of informal — and formal — studies analyzing the difference between men and women's driving abilities, it looks like the genders are almost equal when it comes to the phenomenon. Though men in Ontario clocked in at 83 per cent admitting to white knuckles at the wheel, numbers for women are on the rise, with 72 per cent saying they definitely have felt some anger in the car.
The theories as to why road rage might be taking over abound, including a simple equation that sees people driving more, with an increase in cars on the road. However, researchers at the University of Chicago put some psychology into play as well, stating to LiveScience.com that it's the driver's perception of having been insulted that can bring on the anger.
"For instance in driving, if you are kind and let someone go in front of you, that driver may be considerate in response. But if you cut someone off, that person may react very aggressively, and this could escalate to road rage," explained University of Chicago psychology professor Boaz Keysar to the publication. "Small slights could escalate to unbelievable, irrational feuds."
So what kind of behaviours specifically bring on the road rage? According to Kanetix's survey, it's the following:
Causes Of Road Rage
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