All the rage

2003-08-21 16:49

Durban - You're young, you're male, you're single and you're prone to road rage.

This is according to a road rage and aggressive driving study conducted by the Crime, Violence and Injury Lead Programme of the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Lead investigator Anash Sukhai said road rage was strongly linked to driving above the speed limit, receiving traffic fines, being involved in collisions and carrying firearms while driving.

Ninety-five percent of men aged between 18 and 25 claimed to have been the victim of at least one of these and 87% admitted to have behaved aggressively while driving. The answers all relate to a one-year period.

Aggressive driving behaviour included mild, non-threatening, expressions of annoyance as well as anger directed at other motorists such as the use of obscene gestures.

About one-tenth of motorists acknowledged driving under the influence of alcohol and most drove while their blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit.

"Furthermore, about half of them reported becoming aggressive when they consumed alcohol and drove a vehicle," he said.

The MRC has recommended the implementation of a system of graduated driver licensing, which compels young drivers to demonstrate responsible driving behaviour before obtaining a final unrestricted licence.

If implemented such a system would provide for inexperienced drivers to be more cautious and create an opportunity to provide the necessary skills to deal with stress or anger in the traffic environment.

Sukhai said intervention strategies should include education, awareness and training.

He said larger industries such as the vehicle insurance industry should investigate the possibility of providing incentives for motorists to participate in these programmes. As a punitive or rehabilitative measure, those prosecuted for serious driver aggression should be compelled to attend such programmes.

An important challenge would be to foster a culture of responsible road users that were not only aware but realised the dangers of driver aggression.

- SAPA