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Many studies have shown that both work-related stress and driving aggression are on the rise. This study aimed to observe the effects of daily life and work-related stressors on driving aggression in a sample of 60 drivers in a busy parking lot. Using naturalistic observation paired with time sampling, 30 drivers were observed at Cary Towne Center Mall on a Wednesday morning between the hours of 8 AM and 9 AM and then 30 drivers were observed at the same place on the same day between the hours of 5 PM and 6 PM. Data was then analyzed using a 2x2 Chi-Square (x2) test. The chi-square analysis revealed that the data collected was not significant enough to disprove the null hypothesis. Since the test is not statistically significant, I failed to reject the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the frequency of aggressive driving behavior across morning and evening drivers searching for parking. These findings indicate that the observational data did not identify a definite consequential relationship between time of day and aggressive driving behavior. More research is needed to identify whether or not work and daily stressors are mediating variables to the increase of aggressive driving behaviors and accidents seen during end-of-day travel times.
