Gasoline fumes = Road Rage?

**niky** · November 26th, 2009 10:57 AM

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11...mes-road-rage/

She found the rats that had breathed gas fumes were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior such as chattering their teeth, arching their backs and biting. Rats exposed to unleaded fuel were slightly more likely to show aggression than those exposed to leaded fuel.

“Rats exposed to unleaded gasoline showed indications of increased damage caused by free radicals and altered levels of neurotransmitters in the brain cortex region, in comparison with the control or leaded-gasoline groups,” she said. “Furthermore, inhalation of both fuels induced significant fluctuations in neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum.”

Original study:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6793/9/21/abstract

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It all suddenly starts to make sense, actually... how so many people (myself included) can be one person in real life, and another person entirely behind the wheel...

**ghosthunter** · November 26th, 2009 11:06 AM

I dont think it need gasoline fumes to spark road rage. It is simply the feeling of inability or helplessness of getting from point A to B that can do it.

The car is a symbol of mobility, "personal escape" and independence for many of us yet when operating it can cause frustrations when other vehicles reduce your mobility simply by blocking your way or slowing you down in your progress.

**ghosthunter** · November 26th, 2009 11:10 AM

The car itself also isolates us from our neighbor car drivers. It generates a feeling of being anonymous and leads to feelings that you can get away with some actions that you normally would not get away in human society.

Common courtesy among pedestrians can suddenly evaporate when those same people are placed into cars on the road.

**niky** · November 26th, 2009 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

The car itself also isolates us from our neighbor car drivers. It generates a feeling of being anonymous and leads to feelings that you can get away with some actions that you normally would not get away in human society.

Common courtesy among pedestrians can suddenly evaporate when those same people are placed into cars on the road.

Hey, I'm still courteous... when I'm not overtaking or "cruising" at 180...