All In The Mind Driving me mad: why we get road rage
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Jan 24, 2026 Amanda Stephens, Senior Research Fellow at Monash University Accident Research Centre, explains why driving sparks sudden anger. She explores how blocked goals, anonymity in city traffic and hostile attribution bias fuel aggressive reactions. The discussion also covers stress buildup, links between car status and behavior, common escalation patterns and practical ways to defuse road rage.
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Depersonalisation Fuels Hostile Attributions
- The car depersonalises other drivers, encouraging hostile attributions about intent.
- Cultural norms that tolerate aggressive driving make those behaviors self-reinforcing.
Hostile Chase After A Stressful Morning
- Sana recounts a rare loss of control after a stressful morning, chasing the car that cut her off.
- She recognises the behaviour was out of character and linked to accumulated stress that day.
Expensive Cars Linked To Riskier Driving (Mixed Evidence)
- Observational studies found drivers of more expensive cars were less likely to yield to pedestrians.
- Personality studies link some high-status car owners to disagreeable traits, but evidence is mixed overall.