A meta-analysis of the association between anger and aggressive driving

- There is a positive relationship between anger and aggressive driving behaviour.
- The relationship between anger and aggressive driving depends on the type of anger.
- The relation between anger and aggressive driving depends on the type of aggression.
- Age, region and experience moderate the relation between anger and aggressive driving.
- Gender moderates the relation between anger and aggressive driving.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the relationship between anger (trait and driving anger) and aggressive driving. In order to test these relationships, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on anger and aggressive driving. We identified 51 eligible studies that we included in this meta-analysis. Based on previous literature, we hypothesised that: (1) there is a positive relationship between anger and aggressive driving; (2) the relationship between anger and aggressive driving behaviour differs based on whether anger is trait-based or traffic context-specific; (3) this relationship also varies depending on the type of aggressive driving; and (4) the relationship between specific anger type and aggressive driving vary according to gender, age, region where the studies were conducted and driving experience. The quantitative analysis was conducted using meta-analytic techniques. Results confirmed the fact that there is a positive relationship between anger and aggressive driving behaviour, the relationship being stronger for trait anger. Moreover, the relationship between anger and aggressive driving depends on different forms of aggressive driving, gender, age, driving experience, and the region where studies were conducted. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.