Rage against the motorist – 43% are victims of aggression

The research suggests female drivers are bearing the brunt, with 49% saying they’ve been victimised by an angry motorist, compared to 37% of men.

And with the busy festive period upon us, road safety campaigners are keen to ensure stress levels remain low.

• 10 steps to becoming a better driver

More than 2,000 drivers were quizzed for the survey, which found one in five male motorists admit to getting aggressive after incidents on the road, compared to 11% of women.

But female drivers seem more affected by road rage, with 80% claiming an aggressive incident stayed with them for a few hours afterwards, compared to 63% of men.

Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards at IAM Roadsmart, called on motorists to look at their own behaviour behind the wheel.

He said: “Road rage does not affect everyone every day. If you’re finding it is happening very often, you might want to think about how you engage with other road users.

“Unlike pedestrians walking towards each other; who can easily get a feel of what the other person will do, where they might go or the mood they’re in, you have no such opportunities cocooned in your car.”

• Tailgating — what you need to know

The RAC 2018 Report on Motoring found that aggressive driving remains a top concern, with 28% of drivers identifying it as their number one issue on the roads.

This can include shouting or swearing at other drivers, tailgating the vehicle in front, or even exiting a vehicle to confront someone.

Should the police deem your road rage to mean you are driving without due care and attention, you could be slapped with an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points.

If your behaviour is considered even more serious, your case could go to court and result in a fine of up to £2,500 and a driving ban.

Copyright Press Association 2018. Motoring News articles do not reflect the RAC's views unless clearly stated.