NCJ Number
206351
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 2004 Pages: 105-127
Date Published
March 2004
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study investigated if road rage was a domain for psychological intervention.
Abstract
Aggression and violence have appeared to drift further into mainstream American society. This study reviewed the violence on roadways given the fact that Americans are spending more time logging miles in an automobile annually than any other country. Although there is currently no Axis I disorder holding anger as its hallmark feature, the impact of anger, aggression, hostility, and related behaviors on society is enormous. This study defines aggressive driving to include, but not limited to, the following: slow driving with the intent of blocking other vehicles, tailgating, improper passing, failing to yield the right of way, failing to keep right, horn-honking, flashing high beams, and failing to signal properly. Personal attacks on fellow drivers are also included in aggressive driving behaviors. These include obscene gesturing, verbal insults, throwing objects, and, in extreme cases, physical assault. Aggressive driving has been researched in conjunction with other areas of scientific inquiry. Traffic jams and commutes, among other stressful driving situations have afforded researchers the optimal settings in their investigation of anger, aggression, frustration, and hostility. Aggressive driving research has delved into the realm of personality in an attempt to investigate the profiles and predispositions of individuals to drive aggressively. Links among anger, hostility, and aggression have been drawn and researched. Researchers have begun to apply cognitive-behavioral interventions with some preliminary evidence of effectiveness. Further research in this field is warranted. Tables, references