Men with long ring fingers are more likely to drive too fast, overtake dangerously and park illegally, according to new research.

The study suggests bad driving may be programmed from birth because finger length is directly associated with exposure to the hormone testosterone in the womb. Numerous studies have shown that a long wedding ring finger compared to the index finger in men can have a powerful effect on health and behaviour. Scientists believe exposure to greater levels of testosterone in the womb affects the way the brain works later in life. But it also seems to activate growth of the wedding ring finger by stimulating testosterone receptors in bone. In the latest study, researchers at the University of Mainz, in Germany, recruited 77 male drivers at an average age of 38. Each volunteer had their left hand scanned to measure the difference in length between the ring and index fingers. They then provided details of all driving offences within the previous five years. Just over a third of the drivers reported having penalty points on their licences, ranging from one to 20, for offences ranging from speeding to drink driving. The results, published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, showed men with longer ring fingers were more likely to have offended. In a report on their findings the researchers said: "A longer ring finger than index finger was related to more traffic violations. Hormone exposure in the womb might increase traffic violations in later life." Read more:

Reference: www.ananova.com

Dated 2009-09-11