Drivers with bumper stickers more likely to be aggressive

A new study shows that bumper stickers, 'window decals' and vanity plates indicate whether a driver will respond to offensive behaviour with aggression. Aggression was measured through such activities as honking, tailgating, blocking traffic or trying to run another driver off the road.

Researchers from Colorado State University report in the Journal of Applied Psychology that automobile "territory markers" predict road rage better than vehicle value or condition. But what surprised most was the fact the content of the items had no bearing on levels of hostility.

"You'd think the guy that has the bumper sticker that says My Kid Beat Up Your Honour Student would be more aggressive than the guy whose sticker reads My Kid is an Honour Student, but that's not the case," says Paul Bell, professor of psychology at Colorado State University. "It's just the fact that there's a bumper sticker there in the first place."

Read more about this study here at canada.com