Driving Anger Scale Research Articles

Bus drivers’ anger and anger expression in driver–passenger conflicts

Bus driver anger due to passenger misbehavior may lead to serious bus accidents, yet there are no mature tools available to capture bus driver reactions during driver–passenger conflicts. The bus driver anger scale (BDAS) and the bus driver anger expression inventory (BDAX) were developed to measure the anger levels and expressions of drivers in such conflicts. A bus driver anger model was developed based on 400 questionnaires in Changsha, China. The findings indicate that drivers are most likely to be angered by passenger violations and quarrels among passengers. Drivers irritated by passenger irregularities tend to employ personal aggressive expression or adaptive/constructive expression. Disputes among passengers may lead drivers to resort to unreasonable methods of venting their emotions. Moreover, passengers’ rude behaviors can trigger bus drivers’ aggressive personal expressions. Therefore, it is necessary to establish passenger regulations and encourage drivers to express their anger reasonably in driver–passenger conflicts.

Investigating the Relationship Between Mood and Driver Behaviors

Abstract: Introduction: Mood and emotion variously affect our behaviors. The present study examined the relationship between positive and negative affect and driver behaviors as well as the mediating role of perceived stress and driving anger. Method: A total of 369 drivers (age: M = 35.52, SD = 10.61) participated in the study by completing the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Driver Anger Scale, the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire, and the Positive Driver Behaviour Scale. Results: Six serial mediation analyses revealed multiple mediations explaining violations the most and positive behaviors the least. Both positive and negative affects were associated with greater anger, leading to more violations. Moreover, positive affect was negative and negative affect was positively related to perceived stress, which in turn was related to increased violations. For positive behaviors, positive affect was associated with less perceived stress, which was associated with more positive behaviors. Conclusion: Moods and emotions reveal a tendency to behave in ways that can be dangerous to drivers and other road users. The study was particularly important because it was the first in the literature to examine positive and negative affect on driver behaviors, perceived stress, and driving anger.

A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study on Prevalence of Driving Anger Amongst Adolescent Population in Designated Zones Within Bhopal, India

This descriptive cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence of driving anger among adolescents in designated zones within Bhopal, India. Anger, characterized as a hostile emotional state, holds potential for harmful behaviors. The study explores the development of anger from childhood to adolescence, emphasizing its relevance to driving behavior. The concept of "road rage" is defined, illustrating its intersection with driving anger. The research employed a questionnaire-based approach, collecting data on socio-demographic profiles and utilizing the Deffenbacher Driving Anger Scale (Short Scale) to assess driving anger levels. The study's significance lies in addressing the growing concern of road rage incidents among young drivers in India. It is revealed that about 87% of the study population has higher levels of driving anger. Keywords: Adolescents, driving anger, road rage, Deffenbacher Driving Anger Scale.

The Italian adaptation of the Driving Anger Scale (DAS): examining measurement invariance and the role of blaming others as a mediator of the relationship between trait driving anger and aberrant driving behavior

High levels of trait driving anger have been linked to aberrant driving behavior and higher proneness to be involved in a car crash. In the present study, we assessed the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Driving Anger Scale (DAS) in a large (>2000; 72% males) sample of Italian drivers examining measurement invariance across gender and age. Also, we examined whether the association between trait driving anger and aberrant driving behavior is mediated by a maladaptive form of cognitive emotion regulation, namely blaming others. The results showed that the six-factor structure of the DAS was overall confirmed with a few variations compared to the original scale. Weak measurement invariance was supported across gender and age, while strong and strict invariance were partially confirmed. Finally, the tendency to cope with negative events by blaming others mediated the association between driving anger and aberrant driving behavior in the male but not in the female sample. For both men and women, however, blaming others was positively associated with violations. Thus, attributions of blame to others could be targeted by clinical interventions for high-anger drivers and driver education courses in the attempt to reduce aberrant driving behavior and improve road safety.

The relationship between lifestyle, driving anger and dangerous driving behaviours—An explorative study in a Chinese sample

Drivers who exhibit dangerous driving behaviours, such as aggressive, risky, and negative emotion cognition driving, are more likely to be involved in road crashes. A key motivator behind unsafe driving behaviours is driving anger. However, it is unclear whether lifestyle, driving anger, and dangerous driving behaviours are related. A total of 344 Chinese drivers with a formal driving license were asked to complete the socio-demographic information, the Chinese lifestyle questionnaire (Self-designed), the 14 items Driving Anger Scale (DAS), and the Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI). The Chinese driver's lifestyles were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), revealing a four-factor structure (“Culture”, “Workaholism”, “Sports” and “Amusement”). The 14 items DAS factor structure was determined using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), yielding a two-factor structure (“Safety Concern anger” and “Arrival Concern anger”). Based on Hierarchical Multiple Regression (HMR), only “Workaholism” was associated with aggressive, risky, and negative emotion cognition driving. The trait driving anger was examined as a mediator between the “Workaholism” and dangerous driving (aggressive, risky, and negative emotion cognition driving) through a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. “Workaholism” was shown to influence these dangerous driving behaviours through trait driving anger. Lastly, this article discussed the theoretical and practical implications and research limitations.

The expression of anger while driving – The role of personality and self-consciousness in a sample of Chinese drivers

Driving anger among Chinese drivers is common leading to aggressive and risky driving behaviours and potentially increasing involvement in road collisions. This study adopted an online survey to explore the relationship between personality, self-consciousness and driving anger expression. 559 participants completed a questionnaire consisting of the Driving Anger Scale (14-item DAS), the short version of the Driving Anger Expression Inventory (15 item DAX), the Brief HEXACO Inventory (BHI), and the Self-Consciousness Scale (SCS). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis yielded a reliable and valid three-factor structure of the Chinese 15 item DAX, labelled as “Adaptive Expression”, “Verbal Expression” and “Physical and Vehicle Expression”. Physical and Vehicle expression of anger was reported more by males and by experienced drivers compared to females and novice drivers. Traffic offenders showed more inclination towards exhibiting verbal anger expression than non-traffic offenders. In terms of dispositional traits, Humility-Honesty had a negative effect on both verbal expression and physical and vehicle expression. However, private self-consciousness was related to an increase in verbal expression and physical and vehicle expression. Importantly, Humility-Honesty and private self-consciousness moderated the relationship between trait driving anger and non-adaptive anger expressions in opposite ways. The findings could provide some support for the development of strategies to mitigate driving anger in China.

Aberrant driving behaviors as mediators in the relationship between driving anger patterns and crashes among taxi drivers: An investigation in a complex cultural context

Objective Taxis have become an integrated component of Qatar’s urban transportation network due to their convenience, comfort, and flexibility. Qatar has seen an uptick in the demand for professional taxi drivers. Most Qatari taxi drivers come from developing countries with poor awareness of road safety; therefore, they regularly engage in aberrant driving behavior, leading to traffic violations and crashes. For taxi rides to be safer, it is essential to determine the association between driving aberration and road traffic crashes (RTCs), with an emphasis on the underlying factors that trigger these behaviors. Methods To this end, we collected the data from taxi drivers relying on standard questionnaires, namely the Driving Anger Scale (DAS) and the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ), together with the real crash data of the same taxi drivers obtained from the police department. We relied on factor analysis to identify the main factors of these tools and then structural equation modeling to predict their causal relationship with RTCs. Results The results indicated that the component of DAS, namely “illegal driving”, triggered all dimensions of aberrant driving behaviors, whereas hostile gestures had a positive correlation with lapses. In addition, the factor “error” was identified as a significant direct predictor, while the factor “illegal driving” was identified as a significant indirect predictor for RTCs. Regarding demographic characteristics, professional driving experience was found to be negatively associated with RTCs. Conclusion Driving aberration mediated the impact of driving anger on RTCs. The findings from this study could help road safety practitioners and researchers better understand these relations. In addition, these results could also be very helpful for driving instructors to train taxi drivers in a way to cope with provoking situations.

Driving anger dimensions and their relationship with aberrant driver behavior in Lebanon: Results from a national self-reported survey.

Driving anger may vary across countries due to culture. This might affect driver behavior, which, in turn, impacts the driving outcomes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between socio-demographic variables, driving anger, and the self-reported aberrant behavior among Lebanese drivers and to determine which anger dimension is linked to driving behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted among eligible Lebanese drivers from all Lebanese governorates. Data were collected using an anonymous Arabic self-reported questionnaire that included demographic information, driving-related variables, and two scales: the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) and the Driver Anger Scale (DAS). Four hierarchical regressions were performed taking the DBQ subscales as the dependent variable and the DAS subscales as independent variables. Out of 1102 surveyed drivers, 68.4% were males, having a mean age of 34.6 ± 12.3 years and an average driving experience of 13.5 ± 10.8 years. DBQ, DAS, and their subscales showed good reliability. Older age and female gender were negatively associated with the tendency of committing aggressive violations. However, being a professional driver and increasing annual mileage were positively associated with a higher tendency to commit aggressive violations. In addition to these factors, a higher educational level was found associated with a lower risk of driver's involvement in traffic violations. However, increased driving experience was associated with a higher tendency to commit aggressive violations. Reported driving errors were also found positively associated with older age, increasing mileage, and being a professional driver. However, larger driving experience and higher education were found protectors from erroneous behavior. Hierarchical regression showed that anger prompted by hostile gesture, discourtesy, police presence, traffic obstruction, and slow driving were positively associated with aggressive violations. All the DAS subscales were found to be positively associated with ordinary violations. traffic obstruction was also found associated with a higher tendency of drivers to commit lapses, as well as anger, which originated from police presence and slow driving which were found also positively associated with errors. Driver anger dimensions were found positively associated with aberrant driver behavior. To overcome road anger, there is a need to train drivers on coping strategies to restrain aberrant driving behavior.

Road Rage as a Type of Violation of Well-Being in Traffic: The Case of Turkey

One of the essential components for understanding a life with dignity and with human rights is the right to health. The World Health Organization defines “health” as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Physical and social well-being is not enough, and the individual’s mental well-being should also be realized. Anger is one of the most important factors affecting the mental, as well as the physical, health of individuals. Anger can be both a cause and a consequence of poor mental health. Driving anger can be defined as the anger that occurs while driving, and its level can be associated with aggressive and risky driving, loss of concentration and vehicular control, and near miss accidents in traffic. In this research, the factorability of the 14-item short form of the Driver Anger Scale (DAS) was investigated in the Turkish population. The data were further analyzed for various demographics and independent variables. The short form of the DAS can be reliably used for Turkish drivers as well. A safe driving culture must be substantially popularized via educatory applications within digital or classroom environments to control, regulate, and lessen traffic violence. Effective audits and deterrent regulations are also important with respect to decreasing driving anger and violence.

Anger between bus drivers and passengers or among passengers: Development of a bus passenger anger scale (BPAS) and a bus driver anger scale (BDAS)

Anger between bus drivers and passengers or among passengers: Development of a bus passenger anger scale (BPAS) and a bus driver anger scale (BDAS)

Depresyonu ve anksiyete bozukluğu olan sürücülerde sürücü öfkesi ve öfke ifadesi

Previous research revealed that driving anger and negative anger expression styles are risk factors for accidents and violent behaviors in traffic. Besides, the feeling of anger often accompanies psychiatric disorders. These two situations raise the question of whether individuals receiving psychiatric treatment are angrier in traffic environments. This study aims to compare drivers with depression or anxiety disorders and drivers without any psychiatric disease regarding driver anger and anger expression styles. For this purpose, individuals with depression or anxiety disorders (n:119) were compared to the non-patient control group (n:119) in terms of driving anger and anger expression by using the driving anger scale (DAS) and the driving anger expression inventory (DAX). SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze the data. According to the findings, there was no significant difference between patients with depression or anxiety disorders and the control group in terms of driving anger and driving anger expression based on the scores of DAS and DAX subscales (p >0.05). These findings indicate that drivers with depression or anxiety disorders do not differ from non-psychiatric drivers regarding angry thoughts and behaviors in traffic. These results provide a new perspective for psychiatrists responsible for psychotechnical and driving license assessments.

Effect of psychosocial interventions on risky driving behaviours among offender drivers by using simulated and real driving: study protocol for a non-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundRisky driving behaviour including anger while driving has led to millions of global road traffic crashes, thousands of mortalities and injuries. These losses are much more in middle-income countries, such...

Effects of an educational intervention program based on the PRECEDE–PROCEED model for anger management and driving performance of urban taxi drivers: A comparison of traditional and online methods

This quasi-experimental study implemented and compared the efficacy of an educational intervention based on the PRECEDE–PROCEED model to teach anger management and improve the driving performance of urban taxi drivers delivered using with same instructional materials either face-to-face (traditional) and online. Participants were 76 taxi drivers from two cities in Iran, randomly assigned to face-to-face or online delivery of the intervention. Data was collected using a survey which included demographic questions, Ecological and Educational Assessment Questionnaire (measuring knowledge, reinforcing factors, and enabling factors), Driver Attitude Questionnaire, Driver Behavior Questionnaire, and Driving Anger Scale at baseline, and two-months (follow-up 1) and four-months (follow-up 2) after the intervention. Additionally, participant’s driving performance was assessed using the Wiener Fahrprobe technique. Both intervention modes were effective in improving driving performance in follow-up 1. Knowledge, reinforcing factors and enabling factors were improved in both modes of intervention in follow-up 1, although scores had decayed by follow-up 2. Compared to baseline, face-to-face delivery of the intervention improved drivers' attitudes and self-reported driving behaviors, although there was a small decay at follow-up 2, whereas online delivery improved drivers' attitudes in follow-up 1 only. By follow-up 2, the face-to-face group had reduced driving anger, but no change was observed in the online group. Altogether, retention of the educational intervention was greater in the face-to-face group than the online group. Reasons for this difference can be attributed to increased efficacy of face-to-face teaching that includes an opportunity to question the instructional content and get feedback.

Impact of driving style, behaviour and anger on crash involvement among Iranian intercity bus drivers

In developing countries such as Iran, due to the inadequate infrastructure for rail and air transportation facilities, intercity buses are the most common type of transportation for long distances. Because of the long hours of driving, bus driving is considered a challenging job. Moreover, given the high capacity of these vehicles, a small error from the driver could endanger many passengers' health. So, studying drivers' behaviours can be a key factor in decreasing the risk factors of crash involvement in these drivers. However, few studies have focused on intercity bus drivers' behaviours. This research uses a sample of 254 professional drivers that answered a self-report questionnaire on driving style (MDSI), driving behaviour (DBQ), and driving anger (DAS). A structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to investigate the psychometric properties of these questionnaires. The results show a positive correlation between maladaptive driving styles and driving behaviour, and a negative correlation between adaptive styles and driving behaviour. Significant differences are observed among drivers with and without crash history on their maladaptive driving styles and their driving anger scale. A binary logistic regression model is also developed to predict traffic crashes as a function of driving misbehaviour. The results suggest that factors related to driving anger are the main factors that increase the probability of misbehaviour and traffic crashes. The results also suggest that driving style and driving behaviour significantly predict crash risk among bus drivers. Aggressive driving is associated with an increased probability of crash involvement among intercity bus drivers. The findings can be used to inform the health promotion policies and provide regular interventions designed to improve driving safety among intercity bus drivers.

Development of Mindful Driving Attitudes Scale (MDAS): Validity and Reliability Study

Traffic etiquette can be conceptualized as following the rules without fear of traffic control and punishment, acquiring unwritten behaviors that require mutual understanding in traffic, and making these behaviors a habit. It can be said that education, which is one of the elements that make up traffic safety, is one of the most important tools to shape "traffic etiquette". In this context, the General Directorate of Private Education Institutions of the Ministry of National Education added the "traffic etiquette" course to the Private Driving Courses Education Curriculum in 2015. There is no measurement tool for traffic etiquette in the related literature. The aim of the study is to develop a measurement tool that will enable us to obtain more detailed information about traffic etiquette, and to examine its validity and reliability values. For this purpose, a total of 55 statements that could be scale items were determined, taking into account the main topics covered in the book titled “Traffic Etiquette” and the relevant literature, previously written by Hatipoğlu and Yasak (2016), and these were adapted to Likert type scale format and sample was applied. As a result of the analysis, a four-factor scale (Basic Values, Empathy and Interpersonal Communication, Violations of Rights, and To Warn Each Other) consisting of 33 items was obtained. Cronbach's alpha values of the factors ranged between .60 and .89. In the study, Driver Anger Scale, Driver Behaviors Scale and Interpersonal Relationship Styles Scale were used as concurrent validity criteria. As a result of the correlation analysis, significant and expected relations were found between MDAS and these scales. When the analyzes are evaluated, it can be said that MDAS is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used in the fields of traffic psychology and training of driver candidates.

Social exclusion affects aggressive driving behaviour: The mediating effect of prosocial tendencies and driving anger

Social exclusion—being rejected or ignored by individuals or groups—is a common and adverse experience in social life. As a social activity, driving behaviour can be influenced by many factors. Whether social exclusion is one of these factors is an open question. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the impact of the social exclusion experience on individuals and their driving behaviours and the mediating effect of prosocial tendencies and driving anger. A total of 240 (104 males and 136 females) participants from China completed a questionnaire including the Ostracism Experiences Scale (OES), the prosocial tendencies measure (PTM), the Driving Anger Scale (DAS) and the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ). The hierarchical multiple regression analysis and pathway analysis results showed that social exclusion experience and driving anger positively predicted aberrant driving behaviours (including aggressive violations, ordinary violations, lapses and errors), while prosocial tendencies had a negative impact on aberrant driving behaviour. Moreover, prosocial tendencies and driving anger mediated the relationship between social exclusion and driver behaviour, accounting for 11.18% and 46.71% of the total effect, respectively. The chain-mediated effect of prosocial tendencies and driving anger was also significant, accounting for 5.26% of the total effect of social exclusion on driver behaviour. This study examines the mechanisms underlying social exclusion experiences that positively predict individuals' unsafe driving behaviours, thereby filling a gap in social exclusion research and suggesting new avenues of exploration into the personal and social influences that affect driving behaviours.

Drinking, drug use and road rage in Turkish drivers

Alcohol or drug use and road rage behaviors in drivers are threats to traffic safety. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between alcohol or drug use and aggression in Turkish drivers, and to evaluate the mediating role of driving anger in this relationship. 270 amateur and professional Turkish drivers (170 male, 100 female) have filled up Driving Anger Scale (DAS), Driver Aggression Indicators Scale (DAIS), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Questionnaire Form. 15.9% of the participants scored 8 and higher on the AUDIT scale (alcohol problem). The most prevalent substance is cannabis, used at least once in a lifetime (20%). The results of mediated regression analysis indicates that driving anger has an increasing mediating role in the relationship between alcohol use and driver aggression. Due to limitations in the data, we could not reveal the relationship between substance use and driver aggression. These findings have led us to think that drinking use may contribute to being a perpetrator and/or a victim of the road rage. Taking precautions against drinking driving and road rage and going over the current implementations is important in order to create a safer traffic environment. Scientific researches carried out in this field must aim to provide the desired efficiency on prevention and intervention programs that reduce the prevalance of such dangerous acts.

The role of trait emotional intelligence in driving anger: The mediating effect of emotion regulation

Emotions during driving have an essential impact on driving safety. This study aims to explore the relationships among emotional intelligence, emotional regulation, driving anger and related behaviour. A total of 304 drivers (aged 18–57) completed online questionnaires, including the trait emotional intelligence (TEI) scale, difficulties in emotional regulation scale (DERS), driving anger scale (DAS) and driver anger expression inventory (DAX). The results showed that the influence of TEI on maladaptive driving anger expression was negative, and individuals with higher emotional intelligence showed less maladaptive expressions of driving anger. Difficulties in emotion regulation played a mediating role between emotional intelligence and driving anger. These results suggest that drivers with high emotional intelligence and emotion regulation may face driving situations calmly and with a high level of driving safety.

Differences in Driving Anger among Professional Drivers: A Cross-Cultural Study.

Public transport systems have a vital role in achieving sustainable mobility goals, diminishing reliance on private individual transport and improving overall public health. Despite that, transport operators are often in situations that require them to cope with complex working conditions that lead to negative emotions such as anger. The current study represents a segment of the permanent global research agenda that seeks to devise and test a psychometric scale for measuring driving anger in professional drivers. The present research is one of the first attempts to examine the factorial validity and the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the broadly utilized Driving Anger Scale (DAS) in three culturally different countries within the Western Balkans region. The respondents (N = 1054) were taxi, bus and truck drivers between 19 and 75 years of age. The results pertaining to confirmatory factor analysis showed that there were adequate fit statistics for the specified six-dimensional measurement model of the DAS. The measurement invariance testing showed that the meaning and psychometric performance of driving anger and its facets are equivalent across countries and types of professional drivers. Furthermore, the results showed that driving anger facets had positive correlations with dysfunctional ways of expressing anger and negative correlations with the form of the prosocial anger expression. In addition, the results revealed that taxi drivers displayed considerably higher levels of anger while driving and aggressive driving than truck and bus drivers. Overall, this study replicates and extends the accumulated knowledge of previous investigations, suggesting that the original DAS remains a reliable and stable instrument for measuring driving anger in day-to-day driving conditions.

Understanding the growing role of driving anger in the risk of traffic incidents involving Vietnamese motorcyclists

Objective This study validates the Vietnamese versions of the Driving Anger Scale and Driving Anger Expression Inventory, two prominent instruments for determining driving anger proneness and expression. Using these scales, the authors investigate the relationships between driving anger and motorcyclists' on-road risks in Vietnam. Methods Factor analyses are conducted to explore the dimensional constructs of the two scales with a dataset of 960 Vietnamese motorcyclists. The t-tests were applied to assess the differences in driving anger levels between motorcyclists' subgroups. Negative binomial regression is used to predict the probability of motorcyclists' traffic incidents based on driving anger factors and individual differences. Results The Vietnamese Driving Anger Scale has three factors, including Hostile gestures (α=.78), Unpleasant conditions (α=.80), and Traffic violations (α=.74). Hostile gestures elicit the most driving anger among Vietnamese motorcyclists. Besides, females report higher propensities for driving anger than males over three anger-provoking factors. The Driving Anger Expression Inventory has a two-factor structure, including Aggressive expressions (α=.83) and Adaptive expressions (α=.74). Vietnamese motorcyclists are more prone to have adaptive expressions than aggressive expressions when angry on-road. The regression results reveal the significant effects of gender and two factors of the Driving Anger Expression Inventory on the probability of traffic incidences. Females have considerably fewer traffic accidents and offenses than males. Besides, the number of minor crashes and violations grows by 1.54 and 1.93 times with each unit rise of the Aggressive expressions factor. Increasing adaptive expression level is associated with a decrease in the numbers of major crashes and offenses (40% and 19% less, respectively). Conclusions This study provides insights into driving anger in Vietnam, a motorcycle-dominant country. The findings corroborate the Vietnamese versions of the Driving Anger Scale and Driving Anger Expression Inventory, which contributes to understanding the formation and expression of driving anger and its roles in predicting driving outcomes. Furthermore, the higher on-road risks of males and motorcyclists with more aggressive expressions are highlighted. Generally, enhancing the risk perception about driving anger and promoting the advantages of on-road adaptive expressions may significantly reduce traffic issues in Vietnam.