According to recent studies conducted by the Australian Associated Motor Insurers, or AAMI; four out of ten motorists admitted to subjecting other drivers to road rage, generally due to the fact that the other driver cut them off in traffic. However, other drivers sited that they experienced road rage due to sharing the road with drivers that changed lanes dangerously, did not use proper signals, or parking lot incidents where two drivers were trying to get the same spot. Survey takers were also asked later if they felt they were better drivers than those they share the highways with, and an astonishing half, said yes.

Statistics are rising for those drivers that have been involved in an incident related to road rage. According to Victoria Police, there are over 700 reports of road-rage assaults each year. However, theories on the cause of increased road rage incidents remain to be controversial. Many experts feel that road rage has not in fact increased over the last decade; just the incidents of reported road rage assaults have increased, not to mention an increase in the population of drivers on the road. Others have theories regarding the increase in violent crimes and how society has grown more accustom to handling problems in aggressive means, rather than amicably. No matter what the cause or which theory you choose to believe, it seems our roads are full of outraged drivers.

Road rage has been defined by experts in traffic safety as deliberate and aggressive driving behaviour, likely increasing the risk of collision. Generally, road rage is motivated by impatience, annoyance, hostility or an attempt to save time. Road rage or aggressive drivers often choose various techniques to express their anger; some of the most common forms of road rage are verbal abuse, rude gestures, furthermore, road rage can often escalate to breaking the law. Sudden changes in lane, speeding, ignoring road signs, dangerous manoeuvers, and even deliberate collisions can occur. Many officials feel that road rage is a social issue, as well as a criminal issue; Victorian magistrates want the power to suspend licenses for road rage behaviour, as well as set fines and require offending drivers to attend anger management driving courses.

Insurance companies across Australia are also stepping up to the plate when it comes to road rage drivers. Insurance rates for drivers that have been cited for road rage incidents are rising quickly, as well. As stated earlier, criminal behaviour that's associated with road rage can often cause insurance rates to skyrocket, both for the driver involved in the act, as well as for all those innocent bystanders. Insurance rates are based upon a population as a whole, with growing trends of road rage on the highways, often causing accidents; everyone can expect their insurance to be affected. Even more, insurance companies are investigating claims, those having a direct result or those associated with road rage, are often declined. If you deliberately collide into a vehicle because you're angry and full of road rage, not only do you face criminal charges that could possibly send you to jail for up to 15 years, but don't look for your insurance carrier to help you.

So, who are those that are most likely to feel the rage of the road? Most experts have done studies that claim drivers are more likely to engage in these behaviours if they are relatively young, usually under twenty-five, male, those that exhibit aggressive behaviour elsewhere, those that are angry over another issue, and those that believe they possess superior driving skills. Recently, a survey was conducted for Belgium's Responsible Young Drivers Foundation, findings showed that Australian drivers were the most abusive and aggressive among the twenty-three countries polled, making Australian drivers the worse road rage drivers in the world.

Advertising campaigns have failed in getting the point across, most Australians feel tougher laws, not necessarily fines, but perhaps harsher use of demerit points would be best. Perhaps the fear of losing or having a suspended license or better yet the rise in insurance rates will deter younger drivers from aggressive habits while driving. Until that time, many insurance companies are offering their policy holders free classes on safe and responsible driving behaviour. For example, those with comprehensive car insurance policies with AAMI have classes available for all drivers under the age of twenty-five. Others that are not enrolled can even take the class for a fee of $165.

Although, driving a car in modern day society can be a stressful situation, there are some basic principles that a driver can follow that will help them out in a pressure driven situation. First, if you make a mistake while driving, admit it and try to signal to other drivers that you are sorry, do not retaliate or take other aggressive drivers behaviour personal, keep gaps between your car and other cars reasonable, maintain steady speeds; and if someone is acting aggressively towards you, never pull over; better to keep driving to the nearest police station. Always obey those traffic laws that you were taught as a first time driver like never blocking an intersection, using your signals properly, not tailgating, and changing lanes correctly.

Currently, Australian government is considering the various ways to combat this problem, some states feel camera surveillance will help, others feel hotlines and databases may conquer the problem, some government officials do not even feel that there is a problem, at all. However, there is no doubt, until the day the entire population sees their insurance premiums rise, specifically due to the negligence of a few outraged drivers; then and only then, will a solution to the problem be sought.