Angry College Student Drivers: Characteristics and a Test of State-trait Theory

This study mapped the characteristics of angry college student drivers and provided a test of state-trait anger theory applied to anger while driving. Compared to low anger drivers, high anger drivers reported: (1) more frequent and intense anger in daily driving and more intense anger in response to commonly occurring (e.g., normal traffic and stuck in rush hour traffic) and their personally most provocative situations; (2) more aggressive and less constructive forms of expressing their anger while driving; (3) more state anger, more verbal and physical aggressive tendencies, and less positive coping following visualization of a frustrating event (i.e., another driver stealing the parking space for which the person has been waiting); (4) more aggressive and risky behavior in driving diaries and three-month surveys; (5) more of three crash-related outcomes (i.e., moving violations, losses of concentration while driving, and close calls); and (6) greater general anger, outward negative expression and suppression of anger and less controlled anger expression. Results showed that angry drivers were angrier and more aggressive and risky drivers and supported predictions derived from the state-trait model of anger.