Who are the biggest bastards on the road: poor or rich drivers?

Ten years ago, an American study concluded that rich drivers think they can do everything. But are they really such assholes? A Dutch professor answers.

In the US, they concluded that wealthy motorists believe they are above the law. They behave more asocially than other drivers. They give priority less often and cut off other road users.

Who are the biggest assholes?

Quotenet is now reporting on a study by Professor Paul Smeets, who conducted a similar study with European colleagues. The results were published in Folia, the university magazine of the UvA. And they are completely different.

Americans firmly say that the rich are antisocial bastards on the road, but Smeets doesn’t come to that conclusion at all. “We didn’t find any difference between cheaper and more expensive cars anywhere,” says the Dutch researcher.

“Most rich people behave no worse than average, but neither do they behave better than average.” Of course, Smeets knows that’s not a sexy ending. “People like to read that rich people are stingy or unkind. Partly to feel better.”

American conclusion is different

A 2020 American study by the University of Nevada concluded that people in a more expensive car are less likely to stop at a crosswalk. You would feel superior.

Remarkable: The scientists had a white man, a white man, a black man and a black man cross the street on a pedestrian crossing. Drivers stop most often for women and white people. Least common in males and blacks.

An EMG course is not very effective

In the Netherlands, drivers who are caught by the police for indecent behavior are sent to an EMG course. The course is compulsory and the costs are at the expense of the participant (more than 1200 euros).

Is such an EMG course effective? Research by the Dutch government’s Scientific Research and Documentation System shows that this is disappointing. Half of the participants commit another EMG offense within two years.