ANGRY or stressed drivers are putting themselves and other road users at risk, a new study shows.

Eight in 10 drivers suffer road rage at least once a week and admit it affects the way they drive.

Road safety officials at Brake say driving while stressed or angry is distracting for drivers and recommends pulling over and calming down. They say angry drivers are more likely to take risks such as speeding, rapidly changing lanes, tailgating or jumping red lights.

A survey of 1,000 drivers carried out by Brake and breakdown company Green Flag found eight in 10 (78%) drive while angry or stressed about other road users, with one in three doing so once a week or more.

More than six in 10 (63%) drive while feeling angry or stressed at something unrelated to driving. Most drivers say they are aware of the dangers involved with driving while stressed.

Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, said: ‘Driving is the most dangerous activity most of us do on a daily basis, and requires complete concentration. Driving while distracted by worries or frustrations can lead to fatal errors, or even dangerous, aggressive driving.’

The charity is calling on the government to launch advertising campaigns warning drivers of the dangers they face.

Green Flag spokesman Nigel Charlesworth said: ‘It is worrying so many people admit to driving while feeling stressed, putting themselves and others at risk. Motorists should remain calm to ensure they are concentrating fully on the road and if very stressed, should think twice about getting behind the wheel.’