The Risks of Road Rage: An Investigation Into the Influences of Driving-Related Anger on Driver Attention

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between driving-specific meta-mental beliefs, anger rumination and anger experiences with driver inattention. A sample of 527 adult Australian drivers completed an online survey about their driving-related anger and attention. Bivariate correlations revealed positive relationships between meta-mental beliefs, anger rumination, anger experiences and the frequency of driver inattention (errors and lapses). In contrast, negative associations were typically found between the anger-related variables and the self-reported ability to regulate attention (i.e., attentional presence, flexibility, capacity) while driving. Notably, however, driving anger shared a positive relationship with attentional flexibility. Structural equation modelling demonstrated hierarchical relationships existed between the variables, whereby meta-mental beliefs indirectly affected driving attention, via the effects they had toward driving-related anger. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into how anger-related experiences are developed on the road and how these experiences influence driver attention.