Nearly 40 per cent of British drivers have admitted to experiencing road rage in the past year, according to a recent survey.
As January 20 – often referred to as ‘Blue Monday’ – comes around, the shorter days mean that drivers are making their commutes in darker conditions. Coupled with the colder temperatures and damp, greasy roads, these wintery driving circumstances can often hurt a driver’s state of mind. As a result, road rage can often arise at this time of year.
Road rage can cause aggressive behaviour behind the wheel with abrupt braking, rapid acceleration and sharp manoeuvres all contributing to a higher risk of accidents and strain on a vehicle.
Warrantywise, which conducted the survey with OnePoll, spoke to 2,000 UK car owners and found that close to 40 per cent of respondents had suffered from road rage over the last 12 months.
Antony Diggins, managing director of Warrantywise, said: “Let’s face it, driving in January can be stressful. The weather’s miserable, the days are short, and the traffic just seems worse than ever. It’s no wonder tempers flare behind the wheel and is a perfect storm of stressful commutes and, unfortunately, increased aggression behind the wheel.
“But, what many people don’t realise is how much our mood impacts not only our safety, but also the health of our cars. Driving more calmly doesn’t just make the journey smoother, it also puts less load on your car’s system, which can help its overall health.”
