FREAK Shots: How Many Bumper Stickers Make a Bad Driver?

Driving a car can be depersonalizing. That’s why drivers use bumper stickers, bobble-heads, fish brake lights, racing stripes, etc. to show others on the road their personalities, explains Tom Vanderbilt in his book, Traffic.

A recent study by Colorado State University psychologist William Szlemko found a link between road rage and the number — but not content — of personalized items on a vehicle.

According to the study, the driver of this car (which sported no other bumper stickers) …

Photo: Bruce Triplett

is less likely to have road rage than the driver of this car …

Photo: Howard Dulaney

And, just wondering: do dogs in uniforms count as personal items?

Photo: Malcolm Reemes