All In The Mind Driving me mad: why we get road rage
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Jan 24, 2026 Amanda Stephens, Senior Research Fellow at Monash University Accident Research Centre, explains why driving sparks sudden anger. She explores how blocked goals, anonymity in city traffic and hostile attribution bias fuel aggressive reactions. The discussion also covers stress buildup, links between car status and behavior, common escalation patterns and practical ways to defuse road rage.
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Delivery Driver Loses It Over Loading Zones
- Simon, a mild-mannered delivery driver, becomes verbally aggressive when clogged loading zones block his work.
- He feels ashamed afterwards and describes his mind as not being himself during those episodes.
Anger Is Goal Interruption Plus Context
- Amanda explains anger arises when a goal is blocked, and we get angrier if the obstacle seems avoidable.
- Multiple stressors (traffic, deadlines) combine in the car to amplify frustration and trigger aggression.
Depersonalisation Fuels Hostile Attributions
- The car depersonalises other drivers, encouraging hostile attributions about intent.
- Cultural norms that tolerate aggressive driving make those behaviors self-reinforcing.