Drivers with road rage like bumper stickers

William Atkins
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 23:38

Science - Biology

In conclusion, the researchers found that the drivers with a large number of personalized items on or in their vehicles were 16% more likely to show tendencies of road rage.

Szlemko comments, “We have to remember that humans are animals too. It’s unrealistic to believe that we should not be territorial.” [Nature: “Bumper stickers reveal link to road rage”]

Scientists have said that little research has been performed on territorial behavior of humans inside of cars.

However, according to the Nature article, Australian psychologist Graham Fraine (Queensland University) stated, “This work clearly demonstrates that people will actively defend a space or territory that they feel attached to and have personalized with markers.“

Szlemko concludes, "We think they are forgetting that the public road is not theirs, and are exhibiting territorial behaviour that normally would only be acceptable in personal space." [Nature]