Collision crossroads

Road rage lurks at the intersection of fear and something odd happening. But we can take evasive action.

- BY MARC WILSON

The New Zealand Automobile Association website has a section for its press releases. As well as the usual stuff you expect to see, like new appointments, or causes sponsored by the AA, there are summaries of research it has commissioned or curated from its claims data.

Did you know, for example, that in 2024, there was an 11% rise in car vs animal collisions? At least some of these can be avoided by paying attention to wildlife road signs, yet the AA's public opinion research suggests that more than one in four of us ignore them. Or rather, one in four feel comfortable admitting they don't pay attention to wildlife road signs.

The AA's research also says drivers feel as if there's more rage on the roads. Its November 2024 press release said that almost half of us thought there was more road rage around, and more than a quarter had been involved in a road rage incident in the preceding year. Yay... something else to worry about.