Driving me mad: why we get road rageDriving me mad: why we get road rage
All In The Mind
Simon considers himself a calm, conscientious, conflict-avoidant type of person. But in the car, his personality flips — and it scares him. It can be hard to admit, but many of us do experience road rage. So what is it about being in the driver's seat that makes us so quick to anger? And does the type of car a person drives have anything to do with their propensity for aggression? Today, we're talking about road rage; owning up to times we've lost our temper and finding out what we can do about it. You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Guests: Dr Amanda Stephens Senior Research Fellow, Monash University Accident Research Centre Simon All in the Mind listener and business owner Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Harvey O'Sullivan More information: Estimated car cost as a predictor of driver yielding behaviors for pedestrians Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior The fast and the furious: Research shows that owners of high-status cars are on a collision course with traffic
30:22•24 Jan 2026
Why Do We Rage Behind the Wheel?
Episode Overview
- Identify personal triggers that lead to road rage.
- Use the 5-5-5 rule to assess the significance of incidents.
- Understand how car type can influence driving behaviour.
- Recognise the role of hostile attribution bias in road rage.
- Consider strategies like calming music or allowing extra travel time.
“"It's not about you."”
What drives someone to see red behind the wheel? This episode of 'All In The Mind' tackles the puzzling phenomenon of road rage, featuring Simon, a delivery driver whose personality flips when he's behind the wheel. Despite being mild-mannered, Simon finds himself boiling over in Melbourne traffic, especially when loading zones are blocked.
You'll hear from Amanda Stephens, a senior research fellow at Monash University, who provides fascinating insights into why otherwise calm individuals might lose their cool on the road. She discusses concepts like hostile attribution bias and how our perception of threat can escalate anger. Simon’s story is relatable to many who experience a similar transformation while driving.
The episode also explores how the type of car you drive might influence aggressive behaviour, backed by research from the University of Nevada and Helsinki. Amanda offers practical advice on managing road rage, including recognising personal triggers and using techniques like the 5-5-5 rule to defuse tension. With a mix of personal anecdotes and expert analysis, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the psychology behind road rage and offers listeners tools to keep their cool.
Whether you're a frequent road rager or just curious about the science behind it, this episode promises valuable insights and perhaps even a chuckle or two. So, next time you're tempted to honk at a slowpoke, remember Simon's steering wheel note: 'It's not about you.' How do you keep your cool on the road?
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