It starts with a glance, a honk, a car edging too close. One flare, then another. Before long, the whole commute feels charged. According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, that sensation isn’t imagined. It’s viral.

In a nationwide survey of licensed drivers, 96% admitted to at least one aggressive act in the past year—speeding, red-light running, tailgating, honking, or cutting someone off. And the study’s core finding pulls no punches. The report finds that exposure breeds imitation. The more hostility people encounter on the road, the more likely they are to return it and escalate.

“Driving often turns into a high-stress experience, not because others drive recklessly, but because we react in the moment,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA. “Our research shows that even the calmest drivers can get drawn into road rage after a single hostile encounter, but with simple strategies we can all help make roads safer.”

Here’s what the Foundation’s latest look at aggressive driving makes clear.

  • Aggressive driving is nearly universal. That 96% figure is the headline. The most common reasons: getting there faster and avoiding perceived danger.
  • Some drivers will turn violent. 11 percent admitted to violent actions like intentionally bumping another car or confronting another driver.
  • Who’s more likely to push it further. Motorists under 60 and those with household incomes of $100,000 or more show up prominently. Men and women report similar levels of aggressive driving overall, but men are more likely to escalate into violent behavior.
  • Contagion effect. Aggression on the roadway fuels more aggression. Exposure predicts response.
  • The vehicle matters, in behavior and perception. Drivers in sports cars, big trucks, and on motorcycles are often seen as more aggressive. Some drivers reported feeling more powerful and dominant behind the wheel of these vehicles.

The Foundation also revisited its 2016 benchmark to see what’s changed. Some behaviors are rising fast, others are cooling off.

  • Cutting off other vehicles is up 67% since 2016.
  • Honking out of anger is up 47%.
  • Tailgating is down 24%.
  • Yelling at other drivers is down 17%.

The pattern is messy but readable. Some gestures are louder now. Some old habits have eased. The throughline is pressure, and how drivers choose to release it.

AAA’s counsel lands on courtesy and restraint rather than confrontation. “Good road etiquette and being courteous to other drivers are the most effective ways to reduce aggressive driving and road rage,” Waiters said. “Small gestures like using turn signals, letting others merge, and offering a friendly wave can go a long way in creating a calmer driving environment for everyone.”

Their advice, stripped to its essentials:

If you encounter an aggressive driver:

  • Stay calm. No eye contact, no gestures, no back-and-forth.
  • Give space. Let them pass and build distance.
  • Protect yourself. Call 911 or head to a public place. Do not drive home.

To keep your own rage in check:

  • Breathe before you react. One deep breath can reset your drive.
  • Don’t take the bait. Ignore and avoid aggressive drivers.
  • Choose time over tension. Leave early and leave room.

There’s no romance in white-knuckle driving. There is, however, a choice. On a bad day, it might be a turn signal and a wave. On a worse day, it might be a call to 911 and a parking lot with lights. The mood on the road is contagious. The cure might be, too.