NRMA releases worrying road rage data

Research conducted by the NRMA has found 44% of people surveyed have been the victim of some form of road rage over the last 12 months and one-fifth (21%) of those had children in the car with them at the time.

The NRMA survey of 1464 members across NSW and the ACT has revealed the most common road rage behaviours witnessed between other motorists in the last 12 months were:

• Tail-gating (71%)
• Beeping a horn at another driver (67%)
• Gesturing with their hands to another driver (60%)
• Cutting in front of another vehicle on purpose (58%)

Drivers aged 25-34 years old were significantly more likely to have experienced road rage in the last 12 months (62%). Worryingly, a number of respondents reported witnessing threatening and intimidating behaviour including:

• 14 per cent seeing a driver get out of their vehicle to confront another driver
• 10 per cent witnessing stalking; and
• Four per cent witnessing a physical assault

Almost one-quarter of drivers (24%) admitted to road rage with men almost twice as likely to undertake the behaviour as women. The prevalence of road rage on the state’s roads was highlighted by the fact that 94% have seen some form of aggressive behaviour in the last year.

The NRMA research also found that almost one-in-five drivers (19%) now have dashboard cameras installed in their vehicles, with five per cent having recorded bad driving behaviour on their phone. Of these, 16 per cent gave the phone footage to Police, increasing the risk of getting caught.

NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury said road rage was dangerous and could spiral out-of-control leading to severe punishment for those caught using violence towards their fellow road-users.

“Road rage is dangerous and stupid behaviour and with the growing prevalence of dashcam and security camera footage on our roads you are increasingly more likely to get caught, punished by the law and publicly humiliated if your behaviour finds its way on the news,” Mr Khoury said.

“Regardless of how frustrated you feel by other road users while driving, pull over and calm down if you have to because we know that what begins as a driver aggressively tail-gating, cutting off another or leaning on your horn can quickly spiral out of control.

“Having children exposed to this behaviour is particularly alarming and sets a terrible example.”

The NRMA research highlights the importance of courteous driving as a way to defuse tense situations on the road. More than half (53%) of those surveyed said drivers in NSW and the ACT were courteous most of the time. The courteous behaviour drivers rated as most important were:

• Using an indicator when merging or changing lanes (96%)
• Not using your mobile phone illegally (93%)
• Using an indicator when parking (86%)