CKECKLIST: YOUR ROAD RAGE TENDENCY

For each statement, circle “Yes” if it applies to you reasonably well, or “No” if it doesn’t.

My driving partner’s score was 9 (YES) OUT OF 20

1. I swear a lot more in traffic than I do elsewhere.

2. YES: I normally have critical thoughts about other drivers.

3. When a driver in a parking lot tries to steal the space I’ve been waiting for, I get furious.

4. I fantasize about doing violence to other drivers (e.g., using guns or blowing them up or sweeping them aside)- but it’s just fantasy.

5. When drivers do something really “stupid” that endangers me or my car, I get furious, even aggressive.

6. YES: It’s good to get your anger out because we all have aggressive feelings inside that naturally come out under stressful situations.

7. YES: When I’m very upset about something, it’s a relief to step on the gas to give my feelings an outlet.

8. YES: I feel that it’s important to force certain drivers to behave appropriately on the highway.

9. Pedestrians shouldn’t have the right to walk slowly in crosswalks when cars are waiting.

10. Pushy drivers really annoy me so I bad- mouth them to feel better.

11. I tailgate when someone drives too slow for conditions or in the passing lane.

12. YES: I try to get to my destination in the shortest time possible, or else it doesn’t feel right.

13. YES: If I stopped driving aggressively, others would take advantage of my passivity.

14. I feel unpleasant emotions when someone beats me to the light or when someone gets through and I’m stuck on red.

15. YES: I feel energized by the sense of power and competition I experience while driving aggressively.

16. I hate speed bumps and speed limits that are set too low.

17. YES: Once in a while I get so frustrated in traffic that I begin to drive somewhat recklessly.

18. I hate large trucks and I refuse to drive differently around them.

19. YES: Sometimes I feel that I’m holding up traffic so I start driving faster than feels comfortable.

20. I would feel embarrassed to “get stack” behind a large vehicle on a steep road.