Mental disorders are common among professional drivers, and the medical community urged mental tests and consultation to rectify the problem.

Experts at Shanghai Tongji Hospital conducted a survey of 600 professional drivers and found that 59.8 percent have various mental disorders. The incidence is as high as 80 percent among bus drivers.

Doctors ascribed the high rate to long-term pressure from the job, poor traffic conditions and personalities.

"Driving requires a high degree of concentration, an irregular life and eating habits compared to other professions. In addition to digestive diseases and cardiac syndromes, drivers also experience more mental problems," said Dr Li Chunbo at Tongji's psychological medicine department. "The ones in more traffic accidents are more likely to be detected with mental disorders than those who cause fewer accidents."

Disorders included obsessive behavior, bigotry and poor interpersonal relationships.

Drivers said high pressure makes them feel frustrated both physically and psychologically.

"Whenever I am stuck in a traffic jam, I get edgy," said Gu Jiafeng, a bus driver. "I may curse those who block my way or jaywalk. Accidents are more likely when you're in a bad mood."

Li said drivers shoulder the safety responsibility for passengers.

"Many drivers may express unhappiness by speeding, competing with other drivers and being irritable during disputes," Li said.

Experts suggest drivers be given a mental examination before taking the job.

Police said there is no plan to check the mental status of the city's numerous bus and cab drivers, however.

Sun Guofu, a spokesman for traffic police, said: "It is difficult to detect mental disorders. We focus on driving skills."

(Shanghai Daily August 19, 2004)