A quarter of drivers in the South East have been a victim of road rage.

A survey by the RAC found the number of incidents on the region’s roads had risen dramatically in the last 20 years – with more people than ever admitting to indulging in bad behaviour behind the wheel.

Around 25 per cent of motorists in the South East polled for the 2008 report said they had been a victim of driving behaviour that left them feeling physically threatened.

But nearly 39 per cent of motorists also admit to shouting, swearing and making rude gestures themselves.

Adrian Tink, RAC motoring strategist, said: “All eyes are focused on rising fuel prices, but there’s another menace on our roads that we can control – our own behaviour.

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“It’s worrying that millions of motorists are victims of a driving behaviour that didn’t even have a name 20 years ago.

“But despite being victims themselves, it’s shocking that even more drivers are prepared to admit to swearing, rudely gesturing and shouting at other drivers. This worrying behaviour becomes downright dangerous when you consider they are behind the wheel of a tonne and a half of metal.”

But the report also showed that road rage and high fuel prices are not yet pushing motorists off the road - nine out of 10 drivers say Britain remains a car-dependent society and three quarters of people said they would find it very difficult to adjust their current lifestyles to being without a car.