Drugged Driving: Increased Traffic Risks Involving Licit and Illicit Substances

Abstract

Driving under the influence of drugs poses risks for traffic safety. Most research attention has been focused on the most prevalent drugs of abuse, such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs with high abuse potential. The objectives of this study were to determine the types of drugs used by convicted DUI offenders on the day of their arrest, prevalence of poly-substance use, and offender characteristics associated with different drug use patterns. Data were collected from 6,339 individuals enrolled in the court-mandated Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program. After alcohol, cannabis was the most frequently used substance, followed by sedative medications and prescription analgesics. Among poly-substance users, 78.4% reported combining alcohol with other drugs. Findings could be used to inform public education campaigns, law enforcement training, and highway safety policies about the prevalence of combining alcohol with other drugs, as well as how poly-substance use further impairs traffic-related risks.

Characteristics of Prescription-Opioid-Impaired and Other Substance-Impaired Drivers in Rural Appalachian Kentucky

“…This finding documents prescription opioid-impaired driving as a consequence of the prescription opioid epidemic in rural Appalachia. These rates are significantly higher than other studies that have assessed same day use of prescription opioids in DUI offenders (8.4%; Pilkinton, Robertson, and McCluskey 2013) and in fatally injured drivers (7.2%; Chihuri and Li 2017). The elevated rates of prescription opioid misuse in rural Appalachia (Zhang et al 2008; SAMHSA 2017), in general, may explain the higher prevalence of prescription opioid-impaired drivers in this sample compared to other substance-impaired driving populations.…”

“…This finding is indicative of the changing landscape with respect to impaired driving in the US (Hedlund 2017; Lipari et al 2017). As a result, existing prevention programs and education programs for DUI offenders that stress the “Don’t Drink and Drive” message may need to also emphasize the dangers associated with drug-impaired driving, including driving under the influence of medications like prescription opioids (Pilkinton et al 2013). This is particularly important in light of findings that youth perceive drug-impaired driving, particularly marijuana-impaired driving, as less dangerous than alcohol-impaired driving (McCarthy, Lynch, and Pederson 2007).…”

Cannabis effects on driving lateral control with and without alcohol

“…Cannabis is the most frequently detected illicit drug in drivers (Berning et al, 2015; Lacey et al, 2009; Legrand et al, 2013; Pilkinton et al, 2013); 12.6% of weekend nighttime drivers were positive for Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, primary psychoactive phytocannabinoid), in 2013–2014, a 48% increase since 2007 (Berning et al, 2015). Although blood THC is associated with increased crash risk and driver culpability (Asbridge et al, 2012; Drummer et al, 2004; Gjerde et al, 2011; Laumon et al, 2005; Li et al, 2012), cannabis effects on driving remain heavily debated.…”

Differences in alcohol cognitions, consumption, and consequences among first-time DUI offenders who co-use alcohol and marijuana

“…While most DUI offenders are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, a significant proportion of offender’s co-use other substances, most commonly marijuana (Logan et al, 2014; Maxwell, 2012; Pilkinton et al, 2013), and co-occurring drug use significantly increases the likelihood of DUI recidivism (Mullen et al, 2015; Nochajski and Stasiewicz, 2006) and motor vehicle crashes (C’de Baca et al, 2009). Marijuana is the most frequently detected drug other than alcohol among crash-involved drivers (Brady and Li, 2014; Dubois et al, 2015; Walsh et al, 2005) and the general driving population (Berning et al, 2015).…”

“…Driving under the influence (DUI) is a significant public health issue, with alcohol-related crashes accounting for nearly one-third of traffic fatalities (National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine, 2018; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2016) and generating estimated economic costs of $52 billion in 2010 (Blincoe et al, 2015). While most DUI offenders are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, a significant proportion of offender’s co-use other substances, most commonly marijuana (Logan et al, 2014; Maxwell, 2012; Pilkinton et al, 2013), and co-occurring drug use significantly increases the likelihood of DUI recidivism (Mullen et al, 2015; Nochajski and Stasiewicz, 2006) and motor vehicle crashes (C’de Baca et al, 2009). Marijuana is the most frequently detected drug other than alcohol among crash-involved drivers (Brady and Li, 2014; Dubois et al, 2015; Walsh et al, 2005) and the general driving population (Berning et al, 2015).…”