Study of Asshats

Study: Hostility behind wheel matches non-driving personality
Associated Press

ST. PAUL - The biggest jerks on the road don't act any differently when they step out from behind the wheel, University of Minnesota researchers have found.

The most hostile people tend to react more aggressively while driving than their less hostile counterparts would, according to a study of 710 drivers aged 18 to 45 years. They're also more likely to drink and drive, take more road risks and show more anger toward other drivers, police and construction delays.

"People don't change their behavior dramatically when they get in the car," said Kathleen Harder, co-author of the study.

In the study, 35 "high-hostility" and 32 "low-hostility" subjects were put in a driving simulator and videotaped as they were faced with vehicles that boxed them in, cut them off or tailgated. The research was done in 2004.

The more hostile group followed almost 7 yards closer behind slower vehicles than the less aggressive group. They also hit their brakes and moved over to pass faster when cut off.

Tailgaters, however, brought out a more uniform reaction from both groups, prompting equal numbers to slow down or speed up.

Mike Brudevold of St. Paul says he sees plenty of bad driving behavior, so the study results came as no surprise.

"People aren't following the rules," Brudevold said.

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