Car insurance experts at swiftcover.com have suggested UK motorists take new road rage research from the US with "a pinch of salt".

The findings, from Colorado State University, highlight that drivers with "territorial markings" on their vehicles – such as stickers, or ornaments hanging from their rear-view mirrors – are more likely to get angry behind the wheel. According to the research, they are prone to "defend their road space" and act aggressively when driving.

However, studies by swiftcover.com's own car insurance team indicate only three per cent of UK drivers display car stickers in their vehicles, 13 per cent admit having mirror ornaments and around two per cent have furry dice in their windscreen.

"We have found no evidence of increased claims involving cars with stickers and ornaments – but perhaps that's because our customers are keeping away from drivers with furry dice!" quips Tina Shortle from swiftcover.com.

Previous car insurance research suggests road rage is more likely to happen when drivers get behind the wheel feeling stressed – a situation they can change with "attitude and control".

Health psychologist David Moxon advises car insurance customers to note their anxiety triggers as a way of transforming potentially lethal situations.

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