Over ten million British motorists have been a victim of road rage in the last three years, it has emerged.

Research by Zurich Insurance has found that although the majority of people have been subjected to obscene gestures (50 per cent) and abusive language (30 per cent), others have been involved in much more dangerous situations.

Along with risking their car insurance policies if an accident may occur, 48 per cent have been tail-gated, 42 per cent claim to have been deliberately cut up and 15 per cent have been subjected to being chased by another driver, the study revealed.

The biggest reason cited by those who have had road rage was bad driving (59 per cent), followed by others not obeying the rules and being cut up by other drivers.

Mike Quinton, managing director for direct & partnerships at the firm, said the "worrying" thing is that stress often affects somebody for a long time after they have finished driving.

"It is clear that the pressures of modern driving are increasingly adding to the nation's stress-levels," he said. "We urge all motorists to take precautions if they feel the red mist descending."

Car insurance premiums rose 2.4 per cent for comprehensive cover and 1.4 per cent for third-party, fire and theft, according to AA Insurance.

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