Alcohol consumption and problems among road rage victims and perpetrators.
OBJECTIVE
Road rage has generated public concern; however, data on the causes of this behavior have not been available. We examine the alcohol consumption correlates of road rage victimization and perpetration based on a population survey of adults.


METHODS
Data are based on the 2001-2002 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor, a repeated cross-sectional telephone survey of Ontario adults aged 18 and older (N = 2,610). Logistic regression analyses were performed with drinking measures (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] consumption, dependence and problems) and demographic factors as independent variables.


RESULTS
In the past year, 44.4% of respondents reported that someone shouted, cursed or made rude gestures at them, 6.0% were threatened with damage to their vehicle or personal injury, and 5.2% had someone attempt to or actually damage their vehicle or hurt them. Over the same period, 32% admitted shouting, etc., at someone, 1.7% threatened someone, and 1.0% attempted to or actually did damage someone's vehicle or hurt someone. Univariate analyses revealed several significant relationships between road rage and alcohol measures. Multivariate analyses revealed that the AUDIT alcohol problems measure was most consistently associated with measures of road rage victimization and perpetration, including reporting attempting or actually hurting someone or attempting or actually damaging his or her vehicle.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate there is a significant relationship between alcohol problems, as measured by the AUDIT, and road victimization and perpetration. Further work must be undertaken to identify the mechanisms involved.
Mann
Robert E
RE
Social, Prevention and Health Policy Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S1, Canada. Robert_mann@camh.net
Smart
Reginald G
RG
Stoduto
Gina
G
Adlaf
Edward M
EM
Ialomiteanu
Anca
A
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011889:Rage; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires