Aucklanders more likely to have experienced road rage

Twenty six per cent of Aucklanders surveyed have experienced a road rage incident, as a consequence of living in a city renowned for its traffic woes. Photo / Greg Bowker

Study shows that Aucklanders are most likely to have experienced road rage than any other city.

Canstar Blue, consumer satisfaction company, commissioned I-view to survey 2500 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction.

Twenty six per cent of Aucklanders surveyed have experienced a road rage incident, as a consequence of living in a city renowned for its traffic woes.

Otago motorists are least likely to have experienced road rage, with a low 10 per cent expressing their anger.

Almost a quarter of young people have experienced road rage, with 24 per cent of Generation Y and 26 per cent of Generation X claim to have been in an incident, said Canstar New Zealand General Manager, Jose George.

"Baby Boomers are least likely to experience anger on the road (15 per cent). Overall, 22 per cent of New Zealanders are now experiencing incidents and men (23 per cent) are slightly more likely than women (21 per cent) to be involved in an expression of road rage."

Overall, 22 per cent of New Zealanders have been found to be involved in a road rage incident.

A contributing factor to Aucklanders experiencing road rage could boil down to the fact that there are so many motorists in Auckland. "It would all come down to the traffic. More traffic equals more congestion, equals more drivers on edge, which then sets people off," Barney Irvine, AA Principal Advisor for Infrastructure, said.

He said when people encroach on others space by tailgating them, dangerously driving or running red lights and putting them in harm's way, it can be the cause for people to get angry.

The study also showed findings that 60 per cent of Kiwis would hesitate to purchase a car that wasn't fuel efficient and 48 per cent would consider buying a hybrid.

Hybrids and electric vehicles are known for their fuel savings and elements of environmental protection, said Mr George.

Men (51 per cent) have been found to be more interested in sustainable cars than women (45 per cent).

Those in Otago are increasingly interested in buying a hybrid/electric vehicle; 66 per cent say they would consider it this year compared to 49 per cent in 2015. Those in the Bay of Plenty are the least inclined to buy an alternative model (37 per cent).

The survey outcomes reported are the results from customers who have bought a brand new car from a dealership in the last three years. In this case there were 424 respondents.