By Jim Gorzelany,Senior Contributor

Copyright forbes

A whopping 96% of motorists surveyed admitted to being involved in at least one hostile driving incident within the past year

Like the common cold, a new AAA study shows that aggressive driving and outbursts of road rage are contagious, with victims being most prone to turn around and vent their own anger toward other motorists in a “self-perpetuating cycle” of highway havoc.

Of the 3,045 motorists participating, a whopping 96% of motorists admitted to being involved in at least one hostile incident within the past year, with 11% saying they’ve either intentionally bumped into another vehicle or exited a vehicle to angrily confront a fellow motorist over the last 12 months.

Often an aggressive driver is in a hurry, is intoxicated or is suffering from mental or emotional issues. Road rage can manifest as one motorist shouting or making an obscene gesture to someone in another vehicle, angrily honking the horn or reckless driving that involves cutting off, tailgating, chasing, brake checking or deliberately crashing into another vehicle and/or running it off the road.

At the extreme it can cause a fuming motorist to exit his her vehicle and either threaten, physically attack or even fire a gun at a fellow motorist or pedestrian.

“Driving often turns into a high-stress experience, not just because others drive recklessly, but because we react in the moment,” explains AAA Auto Club Group spokesperson Adrienne Woodland. “Our research shows that even the calmest drivers can get drawn into road rage after a single hostile encounter.

An already stressful commute can also take a turn for the worse due to situational factors like traffic congestion, the time of day and weather conditions. Taking passengers along for the ride can also be a factor, often positively, with respondents saying they tend to drive more cautiously with children or their aging parents in the car.

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Who’s At Fault

Data shows the most prevalent demographic groups to engage in over-aggressive driving are motorists under the age of 60 and those with household incomes of $100,000 or more. While motorists of both genders are equally likely to drive aggressively, men are more statistically prone than women to escalate roadway conflicts, often to violent levels. Ditto with those who are already prone to anger, impulsiveness, and/or narcissism.

Sports cars are perceived as being the most aggressive rides on the road by 56% of drivers surveyed, followed by motorcycles (51%), and pick-up trucks (48%). Those driving electric cars are more prone to exhibit high levels of aggressive driving (34%) than those taking the wheel in hybrid (25%) and internal combustion vehicles (also 25%).

Not surprisingly, those living in metropolitan areas are more likely to engage or encounter road range (at 28%) than those residing in a suburb (24%) or rural region (22%). Allstate Insurance’s America’s Best Drivers Report determined, based on claims data, that the worst drivers in the nation can be found in Boston, with drivers getting involved in a crash at an average of once every 3.07 years, versus the national average of every 10.56 years. The safest reside in Brownsville, TX with an average 14.24 years between collisions.

What To Do When Confronted

Experts say the best way to respond when another driver seems to be venting his or her anger in your direction is not to react at all. If another driver cuts you off or is otherwise driving aggressively, slow down and give them room to pass. Do not respond with obscene gestures or equally hostile actions. If you inadvertently cut off another driver, try to apologize by making a suitable hand gesture.

If you feel you’re in danger because of another driver’s actions, use a cell phone to call police or drive to a police station if there’s one within proximity to get law enforcement involved. Never exit your vehicle to confront the other person if you’re at a traffic signal or are otherwise stopped.

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