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

The Belief in an Unjust World and Narcissism: The Influence of Personality on Perceptions of Injustice, Driving Anger, and Aggressive Driving. Roseborough, J. Wiesenthal, D. L. Flett, G. L. Cribbie, R. A.

Purpose Aggressive driving behaviours are frequently performed on Canadian roadways and are a source of potential harm Aggressive driving may represent retaliatory behaviour in response to a perceived injustice To investigate how differences in unjust world beliefs and narcissism were related to differences in perceptions of injustice and anger Examine the relation between perceptions of injustice and retaliatory aggressive driving

General Aggression Model Anderson & Bushman, 2002

Proposed Model of Retaliatory Aggressive Driving Roseborough, Wiesenthal, Flett, & Cribbie, 2011 Inputs Routes (Internal States) Outcome

Methodology Participants – 247 York University students –127 females and 120 males Procedure – Online study Measures and Stimuli – Unjust World Views Scale – Narcissistic Personality Inventory – Written Vignette – Animated Video Clip – Attribution, Affect, and Reaction Questionnaire

Stimulus: Unjust Driving Scenario 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.

Analysis Data from the four scenarios were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling SEM similar to regression but can assess latent variables, mediators, and interactions A model based on research and theory is proposed and compared to the data. SEM provides information as to how well the model fits the data SEM indicates significant or non-significant pathways SEM also identifies significant pathways that were not proposed. SEM performs many functions and examines complex relationships between numerous variables

Results

Conclusion and Summary The goal of this study was to provide a better understanding of driving aggression. An important pathway that led from individual differences to internal states to driving aggression was identified. Application of findings to driver education programs.

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