The influence of stimulants on truck driver crash responsibility in fatal crashes

Gates, Justin T.; Dubois, Sacha; Mullen, Nadia; Weaver, Bruce; Bédard, Michel

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.02.001

Cited by 37 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Out of the 15 studies with biological samples, four used forensic data 8 16 24. Snowden et al 24 and Gates et al 40 evaluated 71 606 and 10 190 results from biological samples, respectively. The main substances consumed or identified in the studies were alcohol (n=25), amphetamines (n=17), marijuana (n=16) and cocaine (n=13) (see table 1S in online supplemental material).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychoactive substance use by truck drivers: a systematic review

et al. 2013

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The aim of this study was to summarise the scientific evidence on the prevalence of psychoactive substance use and on the factors associated with their intake among truck drivers. A systematic review was performed in the databases PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, and Cochrane and 36 cross-sectional studies were identified with quantitative results about the use of psychoactive substances by truck drivers. Out of these, 28 were carried out in countries with large land areas and 23 obtained their information through self-reporting. The most frequently studied substances were alcohol (n=25), amphetamines (n=17), marijuana (n=16) and cocaine (n=13). The prevalence of the use of these substances greatly varied: alcohol (0.1–91.0%); amphetamines (0.2–82.5%), marijuana (0.2–29.9%), cocaine (0.1–8.3%). The frequency of substance use was lower in studies that investigated the presence of these substances in biological samples than in those based on self-reported use. In 12 studies that evaluated factors associated with the intake of psychoactive substances, the following stood out: younger age, higher income, longer trips, alcohol consumption, driving in the night shift, travelling interstate routes, long or short sleep, fewer hours of rest, little experience of the driver, connection with small and medium sized companies, income below levels determined by labour agreements, productivity-based earnings and prior involvement in accidents. The frequency of psychoactive substance use by truck drivers seems to be high, although that greatly varies according to the type of substance and the method of collecting the information. The use of these substances was mainly associated with indicators of poor working conditions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychoactive substance use by truck drivers: a systematic review

et al. 2013

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“…For example, one recent study of fatal truck crashes found that truck drivers testing positive for stimulants (amphetamine and methamphetamine; cocaine as well as other stimulant drugs [chlorphentermine and phentermine]) were 78% more likely to have engaged in unsafe driving actions than truck drivers who tested stimulant-negative. 32 On the contrary, a recent case–control study of truck drivers found those who consumed caffeinated substances for the purpose of staying awake had a more than 60% reduced likelihood of crashing compared with other drivers. 33 Further research is needed to determine and separate the effects of legal versus illegal stimulants, the effects of the stimulants on driving safety, and confounding where increased stimulant use is reported by sleepy drivers in general.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Association of Sleep Habits With Accidents and Near Misses in United States Transportation Operators

Johnson

Patel

Baur

et al. 2014

Journal of Occupational &Amp; Environmental Medicine

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Objective To explore sleep risk factors and their association with adverse events in transportation operators. Methods Self-reported sleep-related behaviors were analyzed in transportation operators (drivers, pilots, and rail operators) aged 26 to 78 years who completed the National Sleep Foundation’s 2012 “Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Sleep” survey. Regression analyses were used to assess the associations of various sleep-related variables with the combined outcome of self-reported accidents and near misses. Results Age- and body mass–adjusted predictors of accidents/near misses included an accident while commuting (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6; confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 9.8), driving drowsy (OR = 4.1; CI, 2.5 to 6.7), and Sheehan Disability Scale score greater than 15 (OR = 3.5; CI, 2.2 to 5.5). Sleeping more than 7 hours nightly was protective for accident/near misses (OR = 0.6; CI, 0.4 to 0.9). Conclusion Recognized risk factors for poor sleep or excessive daytime sleepiness were significantly associated with self-reported near misses and/or accidents in transportation operators.

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“…In spite of these required medical exams for licensure, commercial drivers have some of the highest rates of chronic diseases, occupational fatalities, and occupational injuries compared with other working populations. (15–23) While there are relatively few studies that have examined the association between crash risk and multiple medical condtions among CMV drivers, some published data have indicated an increased crash risk among obese CMV drivers.,(24, 25) cardiovascular disease,(15, 16, 26, 27) diabetes,(28) medication use, (29, 30), and sleep apnea. (31–33) One analysis reported that obese CMV drivers [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ] have a significantly higher crash rate (>2.0 times) than non-obese CMV drivers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Conditions Increase Preventable Crash Risks Among Truck Drivers in a Cohort Study

Thiese

Hanowski

Kales

et al. 2017

Journal of Occupational &Amp; Environmental Medicine

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Objective This study aims to quantify the crash risk for truck drivers with multiple comorbid medical conditions, after adjusting for confounders. Methods This retrospective cohort of 38,184 drivers evaluated concomitant medical conditions and subsequent crash data between 1/1/2005–10/31/2012. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for any cause and preventable crashes of varying severity. Results Drivers with three or more medical conditions had significantly increased risk of preventable Department of Transportation (DOT) reportable crashes (HR=2.53, 95% CI=1.65–3.88) and preventable crashes with injuries (HR=2.23, 95% CI=1.09–5.31) after adjustment for covariates. Similarly, adjusted HRs were 2.55 (95% CI=1.37–4.73) for any cause DOT-reportable crashes and 3.21 (95% CI=1.18–8.75) for any cause crashes with injuries. Conclusions Having three concomitant medical conditions may be a statistically significant risk factor for preventable and any cause DOT-reportable crashes and crashes with injuries.

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The influence of stimulants on truck driver crash responsibility in fatal crashes

Cited by 37 publications

References 30 publications

Psychoactive substance use by truck drivers: a systematic review

Psychoactive substance use by truck drivers: a systematic review

Association of Sleep Habits With Accidents and Near Misses in United States Transportation Operators

Multiple Conditions Increase Preventable Crash Risks Among Truck Drivers in a Cohort Study

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