As it turns out, San Diego roadways are a pretty pleasant place to be, according to a new road rage survey.
San Diego has the tenth most courteous drivers among the United States’ 25 largest cities, according to the 2014 “In the Driver’s Seat Road Rage Survey.”
America’s Finest City has reportedly improved its street etiquette since 2009, when it was ranked 16th.
The study, commissioned by roadside assistance service AutoVantage, measured a wide range of driving habits. It surveyed drivers on what they do and see behind the wheel – as well as how they react to others.
San Diegans who filled out the survey were fifth least likely to see another driver run a red light, third least likely to notice another driver talk or text on a cell phone, and third least likely to honk their horn at another driver.
But it’s not all thumbs up and waving across the city.
Local
San Diego tied with Minneapolis for the second-highest number of drivers who admit to bumping other vehicles on purpose if they believe those inside did something wrong.
Clinical psychologist Dr. George Pratt told NBC 7 this type of behavior can be triggered anywhere.
"When people's emotions get out of control and they tend to objectify the other human being, and they don't see them as human beings. They see them as, you know, a car," said Pratt.
The top five least courteous cities 2014 were Houston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Boston.
On the other side of the spectrum, Portland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Francisco and Charlotte ranked as the most courteous.
