Stay calm - don't let stress get to you on the road!

Road rage and aggressive driving remains a major cause for concern on South Africa’s roads and the problem is unlikely to abate unless motorists learn to control their emotions and tempers on the roads.

So says Robyn Farrell, managing director of 1st for Women Insurance Brokers.

“South African’s are notoriously aggressive drivers. In fact, international research spanning eight countries showed that our drivers are the most aggressive in the world.

“Although various studies suggest that men are more likely to resort to violence, women aren’t blameless when it comes to demonstrating their anger by waving fists, hooting and using rude gestures.

“We all need to mind our manners on the road,” says Farrell.

According to a 2008 study by Synovate – an international market research company that has been conducting research on road rage since 2005 – men are more confrontational than women are and are more likely to resort to violence, with 11% of South African men confessing they had directed threatening driving behaviour at other drivers compared to 7% of women.

Earlier research by the same company showed that women tend to show their frustration in a less aggressive manner, with 30% of female respondents admitting to hooting at other drivers. More than 22% stated that they will flash their headlights persistently and 19% use rude gestures and verbal insults. As victims, 50% of females claim to have been on the receiving end of aggressive or threatening driver behaviour.

Synovate’s 2009 report found that one out of two South African drivers have recently experienced aggressive or threatening driving behaviour.

The most common form of road rage experienced on South African roads is aggressive or threatening driving behaviour or rude gestures and verbal insults, which are reported to have been experienced by 51% of the driving population.

Incidences of physical assault and use of weapons has fortunately dropped slightly. Still, nearly one in ten respondents have been a victim of another driver actually leaving their vehicle to demonstrate their anger. A quarter of respondents admitted to using rude gestures, flashing headlights and hooting to indicate their own anger.

“Unfortunately, with the ever-increasing number of cars on South Africa’s urban roads, the growing number of road-users who have to commute long distance to work, ongoing road-works, and the lack of an effective public transport system, congestion and delays during rush hour are not going to ease up.

“It is therefore up to motorists to learn to manage their emotions better and avoid becoming so overwrought that they are unable to control their anger. It is when motorists allow themselves to descend to this state that they are most likely to disobey road rules and act aggressively towards other road users, which is a major threat to road safety.

“It is therefore up to motorists to learn to manage their emotions better and avoid becoming so overwrought that they are unable to control their anger. It is when motorists allow themselves to descend to this state that they are most likely to disobey road rules and act aggressively towards other road users, which is a major threat to road safety.

“When you find yourself in a stressful driving situation, take a deep breathe and try to remain courteous and considerate,” advises Farrell.