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Anger Management Issues: The Leading Causes Of Road Rage, According To Experts

Jun 7, 2025

Do you experience road rage often? You might have some hidden anger management issues. But don’t lose heart—mental health professionals say there are ways you can help yourself.

We’ve all been there—driving behind someone who’s going way below the speed limit, getting cut off by someone who didn’t even use their signal, or getting tailgated… Just picturing all that brought about a spike of irritation, didn’t it? And it’s normal to be frustrated by behaviors like these. But when you lose yourself to your anger and start subjecting everyone else to aggressive and dangerous driving, that’s when you may have a problem. 

If you experience road rage like this, you may have some undiscovered anger management issues you’re not aware of. The mental health experts at Mission Connection are here to help you unpack them, as well as explore strategies that may be able to help.

Road Rage: The Hard Facts

Road rage is common on American roads. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that one in four Americans frequently witnessed road rage, while an article on Safe Motorist reported that around 50% of individuals have experienced aggressive behavior while driving and admitted to responding in kind. 

The Causes of Road Rage

Although the specific causes of road rage are unclear, researchers have found that individuals prone to it tend to perceive certain driving behaviors as acts of disrespect. Traffic conditions, longer commutes, and hot weather may increase the risk of road rage. Honestly, who wouldn’t be irritable after having to drive long distances in sweltering heat? 

But environmental factors aren’t the only things that can lead to road rage. Certain mental conditions can also contribute to aggressive behaviors behind the wheel. In the case of the latter, those who struggle with underlying anger issues, like intermittent explosive disorder, may be predisposed to road rage, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, or feelings of guilt.

Tempering Your Rage: Short-Term and Long-Term Coping Strategies

Even if you don’t have mental health conditions, you’re not immune to anger on the road. But don’t worry. While road rage can trigger physiological responses from the body, several short-term strategies can help prevent you from acting on feelings of anger—these include listening to a podcast, playing calming music, performing deep breathing exercises, or pulling over to calm down. 

You can also employ emotional regulation or thought replacement strategies, but these require practice and an awareness of triggers.

When all else has failed, or you feel like your issues are just so pervasive that they’re affecting your everyday life, professional mental health services are a viable long-term solution. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and stress reduction therapy are two treatments known to be effective at reducing driving anger. Individual and group therapy sessions and online courses also exist to educate you on road rage and how to avoid it.

There are many more resources out there, and as a reputable mental health center, Mission Connection has them. If you want to learn more about controlling your anger behind the wheel, don’t hesitate to visit their website or give them a call.

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