Driving Aggression

Introduction On August 24th, 2011, a Vancouver motorist was punched by an irate driver. The irate driver then used his vehicle to ram and pin the victim between the two vehicles. Between 1998 and 2000, 59 road rage incidents were reported in Canadian newspapers 1 Although serious forms of road rage may be relatively rare, other forms of driver aggression such as horn honking and tailgating appear to be more prevalent 2

Inaccurate Definitions of Driving Aggression Aggressive driving has been referred to in a number of ways: road rage, reckless driving, dangerous driving, risky driving, assertive driving, and driver violence NHTSA defined aggressive driving as the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner which “endangers or is likely to endanger people or property” 3 “Road rage” should not be used in technical writing and it should be replaced by “aggressive driving” and “driver violence” 4

Accurate Definitions of Driving Aggression Driver aggression has been defined as any behavior intended to physically, emotionally, or psychologically harm another within the driving environment (Hennessy & Wiesenthal, 2001). Operational definitions: –Driver violence – Violations of the criminal code: assault, threatening harm, pointing firearms, etc. –Aggressive driving - Violations of highway traffic laws: failing to dim high-beam headlights, tailgating, reckless driving, failing to yield, speeding, etc.

Theoretical Model of Aggression General Aggression Model (Anderson & Bushman, 2002)

Situation Factors Congestion Anonymity Injustice Roadway Features Environmental Conditions

Person Factors: Biology, Personality, & Attitudes Biology: Gender and Age Personality: –Trait Aggression –Trait Anger –Impulsivity –Sensation-Seeking –Narcissism –Classic Big 5 Traits :Neuroticism Agreeableness Conscientiousness Attitudes: Aggression and Justice

Internal States Cognitions –Perceptions of Injustice –Perceptions of Risk Certainty Severity Emotion –Anger

Outcome: Prevalence of Aggressive Driving Goehring (2000) reported 90% of AAA members witnessed an aggressive driving incident over a year A survey of 1,395 Ontario residents 5 ≈ 50% had been being shouted at, cursed at, or had rude hand gestures directed towards them > 7% were threatened with damage to their vehicle or physical injury A content analysis of 5315 online complaints identified 1746 complaints that mentioned aggressive behaviour 6

Roadway Justice: Making Angry Drivers, Happy Drivers James E. W. Roseborough David L. Wiesenthal York University, Toronto, Canada

11 Introduction Police enforcement may have several influences 1. Individuals may be less likely to violate laws after being punished 2. Witnesses of police enforcement may be less likely violate laws 3. Witnessing police enforcement may reduce negative feelings resulting from a perceived injustice Injustice occurs when an individual believes they have not received what they deserve The perception of injustice can cause uncomfortable and distressing emotional states. Injustice while driving may lead to driving stress, driving anger, and driving aggression.

12 Purpose The goal of the current study was to determine the influence of justice on feelings of anger and happiness in victims of unjust driving behaviours.

13 Methodology Participants 279 undergraduate students 141 females and 138 males Ranged in age from 17 to 43 years old Held a driver’s license for 5 months to 10 years Procedure Written Vignette, Video Clips, & Measures

14 Methodology Participants Procedure Online study Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and viewed 4 animated video clips coupled with questionnaires Illegal left turn 4-way-stop violation Queuing violation Red-light violation Written Vignette, Video Clips, & Measures

15 Methodology Participants Procedure Written Vignette, Video Clips, & Measures Written Vignette In your green car, you have been waiting to make a left-turn for quite some time. Due to the large amount of oncoming traffic only a couple of cars are able to turn left on each light. As your light turns green two cars in front of you enter the intersection. As you move closer towards the intersection, a red car in the lane to your right slows down with its turn signal and tries to merge into your lane Animated Video Clip Affect Questionnaire

16 Methodology Participants Procedure Written Vignette, Video Clips, & Measures Written Vignette Animated Video Clip Affect Questionnaire

17 Methodology Participants Procedure Written Vignette, Video Clips, & Measures Written Vignette Animated Video Clip Affect Questionnaire Likert-scale measuring anger and happiness pre- and post-justice Illegal left turn - Car stopped by police vehicle 4-way-stop violation - Car collided with another vehicle Queuing violation - Car collided with another vehicle Red-light violation - Red-light camera at intersection

18 Results Mean scores of anger and happiness responses to pre- and post-justice

19 Discussion & Conclusion Purpose of this study was to examine the influence of justice on emotion Unjust driving behaviours lead to negative emotions in individuals who were victims of or witnesses to said behaviours Witnessing the application of justice post-offence reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions The application of justice by police had greatest impact, decreasing anger and increasing happiness

20 Safe Roads for Everyone, Coming Together From All Directions Results suggest that justice, especially law enforcement by authorities has a substantial impact on feelings of anger and happiness Increasing police enforcement on roadways and notifying the public of such enforcement may lead to reduced driver stress and driver anger Signage notifying motorists of red-light cameras may have similar influences Media could be used to inform the public about the efficacy of enforcement, with the intention of creating a sense of roadway justice

21 Acknowledgements This could not have been possible without the support, advice, and reviews from the following: Dr. Robert Cribbie – York University Dr. Gordon Flett – York University Dr. Esther Greenglass – York University Dr. Louise Ripley – York University Dr. Christine Wickens – C.A.M.H. – Toronto

22 Questions