Motorists 'much more aggressive' nowadays

The 2008 RAC Report on Motoring looks at some of the biggest changes on Britain's roads over the last twenty years - since the report was first produced - with aggressive driving apparently more notable than increased congestion, speed cameras and roadworks.

An RAC survey of 1,116 British motorists found "road rage" - a concept that didn't even have a name in 1988 - to be one of the most significant changes in motoring, second only to cost.

Nearly one in three of those polled said they had been a victim of driving behaviour that left them feeling physically threatened. At the same time, almost half of motorists admitted to shouting, swearing and making "rude gestures" themselves.

A similar result was found when questioning company drivers for the report. The RAC said those who drove aggressively when working not only put other motorists in danger, but often risked the reputation of their employers.

The motoring organisation said education and better training was needed to ensure more courtesy and respect on the roads. It also called for a more highly visible traffic police presence to act as a deterrent against aggressive behaviour and other motoring offences.

'Downright dangerous'

Adrian Tink, RAC motoring strategist, said: "All eyes are focused on rising fuel prices which clearly affects the bottom line of any fleet business, but there's another menace on our roads that we can control - behaviour. It's worrying that millions of motorists are victims of a driving behaviour that didn't even have a name 20 years ago.

"But despite being victims themselves, it's shocking that even more drivers are prepared to admit to swearing, rudely gesturing and shouting at other drivers. This worrying behaviour becomes downright dangerous and can easily reflect badly on the business that driver represents, particularly if driving a branded vehicle.

"With better training for fleet drivers, this may make employees driving on business think twice about the effect their own behaviour has on their company, as well as others, while having the knock-on effect of making their own experience more pleasurable."

'Gridlock' expected

The report also revealed that stress and fuel prices were not yet pushing company car drivers off the road. The majority (94%) said Britain remained a "car dependent society".

Almost two-thirds (60%) expected to have to pay to drive in all cities in the future, and over 40% expected "gridlock" within the next 20 years.

Over three quarters (76%) of company car drivers said they would find it "very difficult" to adjust their current lifestyles to being without a car. Over half said they now spent more time in their company cars than ever before. A major recent change reported was that 32% of company car drivers were now reliant on in-car technology, such as satellite navigation.

The 2008 RAC Report on Motoring (1.7MB pdf) can be viewed/downloaded here.