Rude drivers tick off other motorists more than dangerous drivers, a Queensland study suggests.
Researcher Lauren Shaw says the results "surprisingly" showed that inconsiderate behaviour on the road was more likely to evoke anger and frustration.
Drivers who prevented other motorists from merging were the most hated.
"Those who do take aggressive-type action, such as beeping the horn or raising the finger, felt their behaviour was justified to teach a lesson to someone who violated driving etiquette," she said.
Queensland University of Technology's Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety studied the experiences of 209 drivers over a week.
Ms Shaw said letting poor etiquette slide was often seen as the best approach.
"They refrained from an aggressive response because they felt behaving aggressively would lower themselves to the level of someone that they thought was rude," she said.
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