Scientists say this week's heatwave could mean a rise in levels of road rage. The UK will be basking in warm sunshine in the coming days, with the Met Office predicting temperatures ‘widely above average’ and as high as 40C.
But as the mercury rises, so might aggression levels on the UK's highways. Graham Conway, of Select Car Leasing, says a growing number of scientific studies have pointed to a correlation between sweltering conditions and uncomfortable confrontations when driving.
He added: “It’s easy to find yourself feeling wound-up and frustrated by the actions of other road users. But remember it’s highly likely that you’ve made mistakes on the road, too. No-one’s perfect behind the wheel. And if you feel tempers beginning to fray, take a deep breath, count to 10, and continue with your journey.
“After all, losing your cool while driving in the heat isn’t just dangerous, it’s also punishable by law. Actions such as aggressively honking your horn, gesticulating to other road users, or screaming out of your window, can attract up to nine points and your licence and a potential £1,000 fine.”
A study from 1984, conducted by experts at Arizona State University, charted the links between hot weather and aggressive drivers. The controversial research saw a test subject deliberately stop at a green light on a busy junction. It was repeated 75 times between April and August, and on the hottest days the amount of time drivers spent honking their horns increased.
The researchers concluded: “Results indicated a direct linear increase in horn honking with increasing temperature. Stronger results were obtained by examining only those subjects who had their windows rolled down (and presumably did not have air conditioners operating).”
A 2001 report by Professor Craig A Anderson, of Iowa State University, also documented links between ‘heat and violence’ – warning that global warming might exacerbate things, too. Writing in the journal ‘Current Directions in Psychological Science’, he said: “Hot temperatures increase aggression by directly increasing feelings of hostility and indirectly increasing aggressive thoughts. Results show that global warming trends may well increase violent-crime rates.”
In 2013, amid a seeming rise in road rage incidents in the UK, the AA warned about the dangers of hot weather when it came to rising levels of four-wheeled angst. A spokesperson said at the time: “It is worrying for motorists because we have seen a number of serious attacks recently. The hot weather has made a difference. People get irritable and seem to be in more of a hurry to enjoy the weather: they can think of better places to be than their car.”
In July last year, Mayo County Council in Ireland also suggested how their own research pointed to a link between warm weather and road rage. Safety officer Noel Gibbons told the Council Journal: “While warmer weather has been linked to greater aggression and frustration, the seasonal road rage spike is also connected with impatient attitudes borne out wanting to get the most out of the longest days of the year.
“Due to an increase in road works this time of year across many counties, this leads to an increase in unexpected slowdowns and detours, which may contribute to a more frustrating commuting experience.”
“We do know from some research with drivers, including drivers that were involved in crashes, who were asked about the various contributing factors, and they do mention when it is hot outside they tend to be more irritable, they tend to experience more road rage from other drivers as well.”
Meanwhile the American Automobile Association’s 1999 report on ‘Controlling Road Rage’ also pinpointed Friday afternoon in peak traffic as a particular hot-spot – particularly in ‘fair weather’. One tell-tale sign of road rage is ‘tailgating’, when a car is aggressively driven close to the rear bumper of the vehicle in front.
A 2019 study by Select Car Leasing found that tailgating was the thing that causes motorists to be the most frightened and distressed while behind the wheel, trumping the fear of actually having a crash.Almost a third – 32% of survey respondents – said “drivers driving too close behind me” was their biggest road-related fear.
