ROAD RAGE HABITS MIGHT BE LINKED TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE, STUDY SHOWS

Young Men More Likely To Get Angry Behind Wheel, Ontario-Wide Survey Says

Frequent road ragers tend to have drinking problems and use illicit
drugs more than those who stay cool behind the wheel, a new study says.

And researchers were surprised to learn ecstasy is more common than
any drug among frequent road ragers, compared with those who exhibit
road rage occasionally or not at all, according to a study by the
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The study looked at previously compiled data from 2,279 people who
fit into five groups, ranging from frequent road ragers to those who
had never experienced it. It found those who showed signs of road
rage occasionally or frequently were also likely to have used
cocaine, cannabis and alcohol at some point in their lives.

In the Ontario-wide survey, road ragers also had a significantly
higher incidence of psychological problems than those who keep their
emotions in check when driving, according to Reginald Smart, project
manager and senior scientist at the mental health centre, author of the study.

While the motivation for road rage is a complex process to
understand, it seems likely that drugs and alcohol are the main cause
of the angry, erratic behaviour some people display while driving, Smart said.

"We're not quite sure what leads to what, but it's probably a
complicated situation where drugs are a cause of road rage," Smart
said. He noted the study found young males are the most common road ragers.

The details of Smart's findings will be presented at a national
substance abuse conference that begins tomorrow in Toronto, where
addiction experts will gather to discuss preventive measures and
rehabilitation strategies for people dependent on drugs and alcohol.