The UK may be on the edge of a winter road rage epidemic, nearly 30 per cent of all male drivers have admitted to confronting another driver in a ‘road rage’ incident, according to the latest GfK NOP survey from Nationwide Autocentre. When questioned what time of year was most likely to trigger this fury 36 per cent of men highlighted that winter topped the list.

A shocking 26% of mums also revealed that their children had been in the car when they had been subjected to motoring related abuse - this in a week where people are being encouraged to change their behaviour to help save lives on Britain’s roads.

In addition, an astonishing 51 per cent of the population admitted to venting their frustrations while driving by shouting or swearing, with 6 per cent (equating to 2.4 million drivers!) admitting to have deliberately damaged another person’s vehicle in a fit of road related anger.

Duncan Wilkes, managing director at Nationwide, comments: “Winter driving in particular is fraught with difficulties as poor conditions put a strain on cars and motorists alike – add road rage in to the mix and it becomes very dangerous indeed. We were astounded and to see nearly 30 per cent of men admitted to getting out of their vehicle to confront another driver. Even more disturbing, that 6 per cent of the population have deliberately damaged other vehicles as a result of road rage.

“We urge all car owners to maintain and look after their cars to maximise road safety – especially during the colder months, but clearly all that hard work is undone if they then take their frustrations out on other drivers.”