ROAD RAGERS HAVE DRUG PROBLEMS: STUDY

OTTAWA - 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 that ecstasy, more than any
drug, is most common among frequent road ragers, compared to 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, who
authored the study.

While understanding the motivation for road rage is a complex
process, it seems likely that drugs and alcohol are the main cause of
the angry, erratic behaviour some people display while driving, Mr.
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," Mr. Smart said. He noted the study found young males are the
most common road ragers.