Received 28 November 2006; accepted 16 April 2007. published online 19 July 2007.
Abstract
Purpose
Although much has been learned about road rage among adults, data on road rage experiences among adolescents has not been available previously. We examine the prevalence and demographic correlates of road rage victimization based on a population survey of Ontario students.
Methods
Based on the 2005 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey, a self-administered survey of Ontario students in grades 7–12 (n = 7726), the contribution of demographic factors (gender, region, driver's license status, grade, overall marks) to three road rage victimization measures was examined with logistic regression analysis.
Results
Just over half of students (53.2%) had been victims of shouts, curses and rude gestures in the past year, 8.9% were threatened with damage to their vehicle or personal injury and 6.2% experienced an attempt or actual damage to their vehicle or personal injury. Logistic regression analyses revealed that being a victim of shouting was significantly related to region, driver's license status, and grade. Victimization by threats was significantly related to gender, driver's license, grade, and marks. Being a victim of attempts or actual vehicle damage or injury was significantly related to region, driver's license, and marks.
Conclusion
This study provides the first indication of prevalence of road rage victimization among adolescents. Road rage victimization in its milder form is common, involving just over half of Ontario students in grades 7–12. About 1 in 10 students were threatened with vehicle damage or personal injury, and about 1 in 20 were victims of attempts or actual damage or injury.
aSocial, Prevention and Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
bDepartment of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address correspondence to: Reginald Smart, Ph.D., Social, Prevention and Health Policy Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell St., Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1
ABSTRACT