A new survey reveals 81 per cent of Ontario drivers have witnessed road rage, but only six per cent admit to engaging in it.
Insurance company RATESDOTCA conducted a survey where it polled 745 Ontarians and 235 Albertans between July 12-13 that used RATESDOTCA’s auto insurance quoter.
According to the survey, road rage is defined as displaying aggressive behaviour on the road.
“It can take on various forms, including honking, flashing lights, obscene gesturing, tailgating, slamming brakes, colliding into another vehicle intentionally, rolling down the window to yell at or cutting off other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians, or getting out of your vehicle to confront others,” the company explained in its report.
The data shows women in both Ontario and Alberta are slightly more likely to self-report themselves engaging in road rage behaviours than men (seven per cent compared to five per cent).
Meanwhile, young people aged 18 to 54 are just as likely (three per cent) to engage in road rage behaviours than those who are older than 55.
ROAD RAGE IN ONTARIO
When it comes to road rage incidents in Ontario, the survey says five per cent of drivers have rolled down their window to yell at someone and 35 per cent have only witnessed it.
Additionally, eight per cent of drivers have used obscene gestures and 41 per cent claim they saw other drivers do so.
Road rage behaviour can lead to violent interactions, such as crashing into another driver’s vehicle. The survey says about 34 per cent of drivers observed this and five per cent admit they’ve done it.
“Some other dangerous behaviours that Ontario drivers engaged in include tailgating (15 per cent), cutting off another driver (13 per cent), or brake-checking (12 per cent),” the survey wrote.
READ MORE: Distracted driving deaths in Ontario increased by 36 per cent in two years: report
REASONS BEHIND ROAD RAGE INCIDENTS
So, what exactly are the root causes behind road rage incidents? Well, the survey says six per cent of drivers across Ontario and Alberta blame ongoing construction as one of the reasons that gets their blood boiling.
Furthermore, two per cent of drivers say cyclists get on their nerves as well. But above all, 39 per cent of people say it’s other drivers that enrage them the most.
In an attempt to control one’s emotions, two per cent of respondents admit they pull over and give themselves time to calm down before getting back on the road after a rage-inducing incident. Another 37 per cent say they take deep breaths or find other ways to level their head.
WHY IT’S BEST TO KEEP YOUR COOL
RATESDOTCA suggests not to engage in road rage because it could be costly and hazardous. They refer to CAA Manitoba who says “aggressive driving fuelled by anger is among the top four causes of vehicle collision.”
An example the survey mentions is about a Calgary mother of five who was killed in an incident of road rage that escalated to gunfire in May of last year. In 2018, there was also another road rage incident that led to a 22-year-old Niagara woman’s death after a chain-reaction crash.
“Driving aggressively due to road rage is never worth it,” RATESDOTCA Auto Insurance Expert Daniel Ivans said in a statement.
“When people are angry, their judgment is clouded. Not only can recklessly driving result in a serious accident, a major, or even serious conviction can cost a driver tens of thousands of dollars in increased auto insurance premiums over the years that the conviction remains on their driving record,” he continued.
