The report paints a troubling portrait of an increasingly combustible driving culture, one where aggression is not only widespread but contagious. The study found that the more often drivers encounter aggressive behavior on the road, the more likely they are to mirror it. The result, researchers say, is a self-reinforcing cycle of frustration, hostility, and danger.
“Driving can be a stressful experience due to the behaviors of others on the road and how you respond to various situations,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Our study finds that almost all motorists have experienced aggressive driving—and many engage in it themselves. Road etiquette and manners can serve as a powerful protective factor. We must change our driving culture if we want safe mobility for all.”
Among the key findings: 92 percent of drivers admitted to risky behaviors such as speeding or cutting off other vehicles, often motivated by a desire to save time or avoid perceived danger. Eleven percent confessed to more extreme acts, such as intentionally bumping another car or confronting another driver face-to-face.
The type of vehicle also appeared to influence behavior. Drivers of sports cars, large pickup trucks, and motorcycles were perceived—and often perceived themselves—as more dominant or aggressive. Researchers say that sense of power behind the wheel can feed a more confrontational mindset.
The latest AAA Foundation study updates research first conducted in 2016, offering insight into how road behavior has evolved in less than a decade. While certain hostile actions are on the rise, others are declining. Since 2016, cutting off other vehicles has increased by 67 percent and honking in anger by 47 percent. Yet tailgating is down 24 percent, and yelling at other drivers has dropped 17 percent—a modest sign that some tempers may be cooling.
AAA officials emphasize that courtesy remains one of the most effective ways to defuse road tension. Small gestures—like using turn signals, allowing others to merge, or offering a polite wave—can de-escalate potential conflicts and contribute to a safer, more civil atmosphere.
“Having good manners behind the wheel isn’t just about being polite,” said Dr. Jose Torres, a traffic safety advocacy and research manager at AAA. “It’s about protecting lives—yours and everyone else’s.”
AAA advises motorists to stay calm when confronted by aggressive drivers: avoid eye contact, refrain from responding, and give the other car plenty of space. If necessary, pull into a public area or call 911. For those prone to their own bursts of anger, the foundation suggests simple techniques: pause to breathe, resist taking the bait, and prioritize time and safety over tension.
Founded in 1947, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to preventing traffic deaths and injuries. Its latest findings, officials say, should serve as a warning—and a call for cultural change on America’s roads.