Beijing office worker Li Jie considers herself a gentle woman - until she gets behind the wheel, that is.

"I was really quiet when I began driving two years ago, but now, I can't stop cursing others, especially when I'm stuck in a traffic jam or see others violating traffic rules," she said.

As China cruises into the automotive age, road rage has become a growing problem.

Many of those who recognize they suffer from the affliction have taken to the Internet as a place to confess their behind-the-wheel sins.

"I hate myself more and more, because I always lose my temper and swear at others when I drive," a forum user with the screen name Hart said.

Jiao Mingming, a psychologist with the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, explained the problem stems from the growing pressure of modern urban life.

"People who are too sensitive or emulative are more likely to suffer from road rage," Jiao told China Daily.

In addition, the fact that people stuck in congested traffic are generally deprived of fresh air, but instead breath vehicular exhaust, compounds the problem, she said.

A report by Beijing-based research firm Horizon Group published last month said private car ownership had contributed to a degradation of many people's emotional wellbeing.

The survey of more than 3,800 drivers from 24 cities found more than 10 percent of respondents believed they had become "more easily agitated and irritable" than before they owned a car.

In addition, more than 27 percent said they often "felt fidgety when stuck in a traffic jam".

It also found Beijing residents were the most patient on congested roadways and were able to tolerate an average of 53 minutes before frustration would overtake them.

Chongqing drivers were the least patient and could only withstand an average of 27 minutes in congested traffic before losing their tempers.

However, the average commute in Beijing was 55 minutes and Chongqing's was 39.

Gu Kaixie, a Shanghai-based Xinchao Psychological Counseling Center consultant, said that research had found about 60 percent of Chinese drivers suffer from psychological issues, such as irritability, obsessive behavior and interpersonal sensitivity.

He also said coach drivers report more psychological issues than drivers of buses or private cars.

Experts advise motorists to consciously "slow down" their emotional responses using distractions such as music or gadgets.

They should also try to avoid rush hours and leave as early as possible to ensure adequate travel time.

With road rage becoming an increasingly serious social issue, experts have suggested Chinese drivers should undergo psychological evaluations.

Several countries, such as the United Kingdom, Finland and South Korea, require drivers to undergo such evaluations annually.

(China Daily July 21, 2008)