Australian drivers are getting angrier behind the wheel – and they’re not shy about showing other motorists exactly how they feel, according to new AAMI research.

AAMI Public Affairs Manager Geoff Hughes says figures in the 2008 AAMI Crash Index showed motorists were road raging in record numbers, particularly as payback against aggression and dangerous driving from other motorists.

“The rise in road rage is worrying in itself, however also concerning is the increasing number of motorists who believe this sort of retaliation is entirely acceptable,” Hughes says.

“While many of us have sworn or gestured rudely at other drivers from time to time, it is completely unacceptable that one-fifth of drivers have become so angry with the actions of another motorist that they have resorted to tailgating.”

Hughes says if this wasn’t bad enough 60 percent of those drivers thought tailgating as retribution was entirely justifiable.

Disturbing new figures contained in the 2008 AAMI Crash Index show driver aggression is at an all-time high and that nationally, nine in 10 drivers are becoming more aggressive.

The number of drivers who consider tailgating to be an acceptable response to road rage has quadrupled since AAMI first canvassed drivers in 1997. Back then, five percent of drivers said they had been angered sufficiently to tailgate another driver compared to 22 percent in 2008.

Additionally Hughes says more than half (57 percent) of the drivers surveyed admitted to gesturing rudely or yelling at another motorist when they had done something dangerous or rude, of those, 83 percent thought these payback actions were justified.

And almost six in 10 (59 percent) drivers have sworn at another motorist for doing something dangerous or rude, with 82 percent of them also saying their abusive actions were justifiable.

Hughes says the dangerous and aggressive behaviours that drivers were willing to admit to were in stark contrast to how drivers think they should behave.

“Only two per cent of drivers say responding aggressively to road rage is appropriate, compared to the 13 per cent per cent of drivers who admit they would actually respond this way.”

Hughes says drivers who are angered and frustrated by the actions of others should follow their own advice.

“More than half of drivers (55 percent) think signalling an apology is the best response to road rage, yet only four in 10 drivers (38 percent) say this is how they would actually respond.”

Drivers would do well to ignore road rage and focus on their driving,” Hughes says.

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