/ 17 April 2003

Durban road hogs turn guinea pigs

A scientific study into aggressive driving and road rage is being conducted among motorists in Durban, the Medical Research Council said on Thursday.

Researcher Anesh Sukhai said it focused on topics such as the magnitude and levels of aggressive driving and road rage as experienced by both victims and perpetrators.

The profiles of both parties were also being studied.

”This information is absent in the South African context and once obtained will provide a basis to inform prevention and policy interventions,” Sukhai said.

The study was being done in conjunction with the University of Natal. Sukhai said it got underway on Wednesday and would run until April 25.

Interviews were being conducted with 1 000 drivers in 10 suburbs and 36 petrol stations in the Durban metropolitan area.

Similar studies were in the pipeline in other major cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, Sukhai said. – Sapa