Researchers have found women are more likely to get angry behind the wheel than men. The study reveals women react more angrily to antisocial driving. The study by the Goldsmiths University of London found women vent their anger 12% more than men when driving.
The study, funded by carmaker Hyundai, reveals women are particularly angry when being undertaken, getting shouted or beeped at or when a fellow motorist failed to indicate. Women were also 14% angrier when dealing with backseat drivers.
A behavioural psychologist at Goldsmiths Institute of Management Studies, Patrick Fagan looked at surveys of 1,000 motorists including 450 drivers facial reactions recorded on webcam. Fagan suggested drivings triggers ancient “defence” instincts. “Evolutionary theory suggested our early female ancestors had to develop an acute sense of danger for anything that threatened them and their young. That ‘early warning system’ instinct is still relevant today,” Fagan said.
Chief Executive of Hyundai UK, Tony Whitehorn said : “By examining drivers emotions, our aim is to help them get a better drive both today and in the future.” The manufacturer says the results are to be formally published.
