Nearly half of drivers have experienced road rage, with some being threatened with physical violence, according to a survey.

As many as 32% say they are subject to road rage more than once a week, the survey of 3,120 drivers by insurance company Admiral found.

Of those road rage sufferers, 21% have had full-blown arguments with another motorist, while 36% said experiencing road rage made them drive more aggressively.

Around 8% had followed another driver who had been rude or aggressive towards them, while 9% of all those surveyed said they had been threatened with physical violence in a road rage incident.

Being cut up by another motorist was the leading cause of road rage, followed by rudeness of other drivers.

Motorists who drove too slowly were more likely to lead to road rage than those who went too fast.

The survey also found:

44% of motorists thought learners should have lessons for at least a year before being allowed to take their test;

77% reckoned it should be illegal to smoke while driving if there were children in the car;

78% said the motorway speed limit should be 80mph or more;

11% admitted to speeding frequently, while 26% said they had used a mobile phone to make or receive calls while driving;

19% had had their car vandalised or maliciously damaged in the last five years;

48% would like to see the drink-drive limit lower than it is now.

Admiral spokesman James Carnduff said: "It's bad enough letting yourself be annoyed by other road users but following them, or even worse reverting to violence, is ridiculous.

"You have to ask yourself is it worth getting that upset at other road users? Will getting angry achieve anything other than raising your blood pressure and negatively impacting your driving?"