Emotion regulation abilities as a protective factor in the relationship between anger-inducing road events and dangerous behavior behind the wheel

Abstract

Drivers are exposed to a multitude of road events that elicit emotions, notably anger, which is closely linked to dangerous behaviors and maladaptive driving styles. The present study aimed to determine the role of emotion regulation ability as a moderating factor between the levels of anger elicited by specific road events and the tendency to engage in aggressive and risky driving behaviors. The Driving Anger Scale (DAS), the Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI), and the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) were administered to 678 drivers (mean age = 36.87 years; 46.17 % men). Our findings indicate that higher levels of driving-related anger were associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in aggressive and risky behaviors. In contrast, strong emotional regulation abilities were linked to a lower tendency to engage in such dangerous driving behaviors. Importantly, the relationship between anger and the propensity to drive riskily and aggressively was moderated by the driver’s ability to regulate their emotions. Our results suggest that drivers with stronger emotion regulation skills are less likely to engage in dangerous driving, as they can effectively manage the anger elicited by certain road events. These findings highlight the importance of emotion regulation in promoting safer driving practices. Tailored interventions to enhance emotion regulation abilities could effectively reduce road accidents and improve overall road safety.