Your Car Knows Your Secrets. Psychologist Reveals What Drivers Hide

"A car doesn't transform us into someone else. It's a mirror that shows who we really are," Dr. Wojciech Korchut, director of transport psychology studies at SWPS, told the Polish Press Agency. The expert emphasizes that road rage stems not from the car itself, but from human psychology and the illusion that we can easily avoid the consequences.

From Frustration to Aggression: Healthy Ways to Decompress Behind the Wheel

In an interview with PAP, Korchut explains: "Yes. And here's the key: it's not the frustration or anger itself that's the problem, but the decisions we make in response to these emotions. Between the trigger—someone pulled out in front of me and didn't even put on their hazard lights to apologize—and the reaction—I'll roll down the window and scold them—there should be space to consider whether this reaction makes sense."

"If it relieves the tension and doesn't harm anyone, I don't see anything wrong with it," he adds. "It's a natural, physical way to release stress. Many drivers have told me that when the tension becomes unbearable, they stop, get out, and kick the tire. It's a simple, safe method that doesn't harm anyone and allows you to maintain control."

In the car we are truly ourselves

"It's often said that in a car, we become the driver and allow ourselves to do things we wouldn't do anywhere else," Korchut continues. "It's quite the opposite: in a car, we are ourselves. Truly ourselves. The car isn't the cause of the emotions we observe in ourselves when we're behind the wheel. Rather, it's a mirror in which we can see who we really are."

The expert emphasizes that cars reveal not only our frustrations but also our positive sides. "How we behave on the road—not only as drivers, but also as pedestrians and cyclists—tells us who we truly are. The secret is that we can express frustration safely—without offending others, without damaging anything, and without using profanity. If emotions are released "inwardly," for example, by shouting at myself or kicking a tire, it's a healthy form of release. We're not harming anyone, just as we're not surprised that someone cries at a funeral—emotions simply find an outlet in the appropriate situation."

The statistics are alarming. In 2024, 21,519 road accidents were recorded, a 2.8% increase compared to 2023. These accidents resulted in 1,896 deaths and 24,782 injuries, 7,796 of them seriously. The most common cause is failure to yield.

Raising fines is a road to nowhere

"Increasing fines without educating drivers is a road to nowhere," Korchut emphasizes. "What's needed is regularity, certainty of penalties, and treating serious offenses as criminal offenses."

Korchut points out that education should start at an early age. "If a child comes home from school and says, 'Dad, put on a helmet, I'm worried about you,' the parent is more likely to listen. Even a small child can influence an adult's safety."

The driving community plays a significant role in relieving tensions. Warning each other about traffic jams and accidents via CB radio increases safety.

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