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Road rage more prevalent among women, younger workers

At some point in your life, you’ve probably experienced road rage on your way to work. Perhaps you absorbed your anger with a quiet shake of the head. Or maybe your rage escalated to a level of yelling, using profanity and hand gesturing that would make your mother blush. But don’t worry, road rage is common for most workers, even those with minimal commute times.

According to a new CareerBuilder study, 58 percent of workers who drive to work said they experience road rage, with 61 percent of women admitting to their rage, compared to 56 percent of men.

“Road rage is most often associated with running late and far commutes,” says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “Planning ahead and taking advantage of flexible work arrangements can help alleviate stress levels and set a more positive vibe for the workday.”

Age, commute and season all make an impact
Workers ages 25 to 34 were the most likely to experience road rage, while workers 55 and older were the least likely to experience such anger. Perhaps it’s the 55 and older drivers who are causing the 25 to 34 year old workers to have road rage?

When it comes to short fuses, 37 percent of workers with commutes of less than five minutes said they experience road rage from time to time. But that’s less likely caused by the commute and more likely caused by “Hulk smash.” The time of year seems to make a difference too; 17 percent of those surveyed said they feel less road rage during the summer.

Reducing the rage
Haefner recommends the following four tips for a calmer commute:

  1. Give yourself extra time. Pick out clothes and prepare lunches the night before. Set your alarm 15 minutes early to deal with any minor setbacks that may occur in a busy household.
  2. Request flexible work arrangements. Start work at an off-peak time to avoid rush hour, or explore whether telecommuting may be an option.
  3. Try easy listening. Whether it’s soothing music, books on tape or your favorite morning news program, listen to something that’ll help you forget about your hour-long delay.
  4. Consider public transportation. By ditching the driving and taking a bus or train, you can finish work, read or just relax.

The study was conducted online by Harris Interactive from May 14 – June 4, 2012 and included more than 3,800 workers nationwide. Check out more CareerBuilder surveys here.

Share your story: What’s the craziest road rage story you’ve witnessed or been part of?

Justin Thompson

About Justin Thompson

Justin Thompson joined CareerBuilder in early 2011 and is - for lack of a better term - the 'job seeker champion' for the brand through the company's social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and more. His background in consumer marketing, advertising and public relations allows him to integrate the world of traditional marketing with emerging media for the sake of helping consumers land jobs and progress in their careers. A lover of music and animated .gifs, Justin brings his off-the-cuff style to our blog and our business.
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MiltonStreet
MiltonStreet like.author.displayName 1 Like

YES! it’s the 40 and older drivers who are causing the 20 to 34 year old workers to have road rage, because they drive slow, barely reaching the speed limit during rush-hour. 

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