Warm weather produces hot heads for young Ontario drivers: ingenie report

Not surprisingly, summer’s hot weather and construction delays contribute to young drivers getting hot under the collar, producing both frustration and bad behaviour directed at others, notes ingenie’s new Road Rage Report.

Issued Monday by ingenie, the report – based on an online survey conducted in for ingenie by Student Life Network and involving 604 interviews collected from Ontario students who are licensed drivers – notes that summer is the most infuriating driving season. The survey sought to identify what gives young drivers road rage and how they deal with it.

In all, 58% of surveyed young drivers report that they are frustrated by construction-related delays in the summer while only 18% are bothered by bad weather in the winter, notes a statement from ingenie, a telematics-based auto insurance provider for Ontario drivers aged 16 to 24.

Lorie Phair, CEO of ingenie Canada, advises that young drivers need to “keep a cool head, and don’t let outside influences take over. Instead, concentrate on what you can control, which is your own driving.”

Says Phair, “Cranky drivers can lead to conflict on the road. But, as a driver, your top priority needs to be safety.”

Respondents acknowledged that this was not always the case, with 37% of young drivers rating their level of road rage to be medium to high. Those taking in the survey admit that they have taken frustration out on other drivers with behaviour, including the following:

• beeping at other drivers (51%);

• flashing their lights at other drivers (29%);

• making offensive hand gestures at other drivers (14%); and

• on the more extreme end, 5% admit they have used their car to intimidate other drivers.

Respondents report also seeing plenty of annoying behaviour – behaviour that could potentially be dangerous – as well:

• being rude on the road (81%);

• using their phones (77%);

• tailgating (74%);

• failing to signal (73%); and

• braking suddenly (70%).

Whatever young drivers are seeing, however, Phair emphasizes the need to keep a cool head and remain focused.

“As a driver, you are responsible for controlling your own vehicle. It’s an important duty that requires your complete attention,” she says. “While you may become annoyed by other drivers’ bad habits, it’s not your responsibility to reprimand them. Don’t get emotional, just focus on the task at hand – arriving at your destination safely.”

Drivers can do things to avoid frustration and potential conflicts on the road. Included on the list are planning the route in advance, being considerate to other drivers, getting a good night’s sleep and not driving while in a bad mood.