Characteristics and treatment of high-anger drivers

A client analogue of angry drivers reported more frequent and intense anger , aggressive and risky behavior, and accidents (generally, minor accidents, close calls, etc.) than low-anger drivers. Groups did not differ on major accidents or moving violations. High-anger drivers reported more trait ange r and anxiety; anger suppression; and outward, less controlled forms of ang er expression. Compared with an untreated control, relaxation and cognitive -relaxation interventions lowered driving anger; although the relaxation in tervention was superior on some measures of driving anger, cognitive-relaxa tion was superior on risky behavior. Interventions did not influence trait anger, anxiety, or general anger expression. Findings support state-trait a nger theory, construct validity of the trait driving anger measure, and fea sibility of driving anger reduction.