While the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that two thirds of fatalities are at least partially caused by aggressive driving, the AAA study found only 218 could be directly attributable to enraged drivers. Cutting them off, tailgating, giving the finger, waving a fist, experts believe these forms of nonviolent fury are increasing. Two thirds of drivers said they reacted to frustrating situation aggressively. Almost half admitted to deliberately braking suddenly, pulling close to the other car, or taking some potentially dangerous step. Another third said they retaliated with hostile gesture.
Drivers show great creativity in devising hostile responses.
If someone tailgates him, he turns on the wipers, sending fluid over his roof onto the car behind him. Not surprisingly, fewer people are relying on mass transit and more on cars. Demographic changes have helped put more drivers on the road. Until the 1970's the percentage of women driving was relatively low, and many families had only one car. But women entered the work force and bought cars, sometimes developers and highway planners hadn't foreseen.