A review of drug use and driving: epidemiology, impairment, risk factors and risk perceptions

Abstract

The existing literature on the prevalence of drug driving, the effects of drugs on driving performance, risk factors and risk perceptions associated with drug driving was reviewed. The 12-month prevalence of drug driving among the general population is approximately 4%. Drugs are detected commonly among those involved in motor vehicle accidents, with studies reporting up to 25% of accident-involved drivers positive for drugs. Cannabis is generally the most common drug detected in accident-involved drivers, followed by benzodiazepines, cocaine, amphetamines and opioids. Polydrug use is common among accident-involved drivers. Studies of impairment indicate an undeniable association between alcohol and driving impairment. There is also evidence that cannabis and benzodiazepines increase accident risk. The most equivocal evidence surrounds opioids and stimulants. It is apparent that drugs in combination with alcohol, and multiple drugs, present an even greater risk. Demographically, young males are over-represented among drug drivers. Although there is an association between alcohol use problems and drink driving, it is unclear whether such an association exists between drug use problems and drug driving. Evidence surrounding psychosocial factors and driving behaviour is also equivocal at this stage. While most drivers perceive drug driving to be dangerous and unacceptable, there is less concern about impaired driving among drug drivers and drink drivers than from those who have not engaged in impaired driving. Risk perceptions differ according to drug type, with certain drugs (e.g. cannabis) seen as producing less impairment than others (e.g. alcohol). It is concluded that drug driving is a significant problem, both in terms of a general public health issue and as a specific concern for drug users.

Prevalence of Psychoactive Substances in Dutch and Belgian Traffic

“…It is diffi cult to directly compare the results of these roadside surveys because of differences in study design, such as the number of substances included, the analytical cutoff levels applied, and the biological matrix used (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2008;Kelly et al, 2004;Walsh et al, 2004). In Norway, 4.5% of motor vehicle drivers were positive for psychoactive substances including illicit drugs, medicinal drugs, or alcohol (Gjerde et al, 2008).…”

Uso de bebidas alcoólicas em postos de gasolina de Porto Alegre: estudo piloto

“…Essas prevalências estão de acordo com dados recentes de Duailib et al, que encontraram taxas de alcoolemia acima do limite legal em 19,4% dos motoristas de Diadema 17 . O uso de maconha -que aumenta o risco de acidentes de trânsito 18,19 -também foi muito alto e possivelmente subrelatado, uma vez que é ilegal.…”

‘Zero Tolerance’ Drug Driving Laws in Australia: A Gap Between Rationale and Form?

“…Reviewing that large body of literature is beyond the scope of this article, but it does exist (see, for example, Bondallaz et al 2016;Elvik 2013;Kelly, Darke and Ross 2004;Verster, van de Loo and Roth 2017) and warrants closer attention. Policy-making and law reform can and should be informed by it, just as in the 1960s, when (alcohol) drink driving laws were modernised, and road safety qualitatively improved, in line with the available evidence about the impairment effects of alcohol.…”