THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRAFFIC CONGESTION, DRIVER STRESS AND DIRECTVERSUS INDIRECT COPING BEHAVIORS

Drivers experiencing rush hour congestion were interviewed using cellu lar telephones to study stress and coping responses. Measures were tak en of each driver's predisposition to stress (trait stress) as well as their reactions to the experience of either low or high traffic conge stion (state stress). Two interviews were conducted during the trip wh en drivers experienced both low and high congestion conditions. Althou gh state stress was greatest for all drivers experiencing the high con gestion condition, a trait X situation interaction was obtained, indic ating that stress levels were highest for high trait stress drivers ex periencing the congested roadway. In terms of trait coping behaviours, participants indicated a preference for direct over indirect behaviou rs. A greater variety of direct and indirect behaviours were reported in high congestion. Reports of aggressive behaviours showed the greate st increase from low to high congestion. Comments on the use of cellul ar telephones in methodology are offered.