Restraint use and risky driving behaviors across drug types and drug and alcohol combinations for drivers involved in a fatal motor vehicle collision on U.S. roadways

Abstract

BackgroundWhile driving impaired is a well-recognized risk factor for motor vehicle (MV) crash, recent trends in recreational drug use and abuse may pose increased threats to occupant safety. This study examines mechanisms through which drug and/or alcohol combinations contribute to fatal MV crash.MethodsThe Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for 2008–2013 was used to examine drugs, alcohol, driver restraint use, driver violations/errors and other behaviors of drivers of passenger vehicles who were tested for both alcohol and drugs (n = 79,932). Statistical analysis was based on Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Associations of restraint use and other outcomes with alcohol and drug use were measured by estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs).ResultsMore than half (54.8 %) of the study population were positive for drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. Approximately half of drivers were belted, but this varied from 67.1 % (unimpaired) to 33.0 % (drugs plus alcohol). Compared to the unimpaired, the odds of a driver being unbelted varied: alcohol and cannabis (OR 3.70, 95 % CI 3.44–3.97), alcohol only (3.50,3.36–3.65), stimulants (2.13,1.91–2.38), depressants (2.09,1.89–2.31), narcotics (1.84,1.67–2.02) and cannabis only (1.55,1.43–1.67). Compared to belted drivers, unbelted drivers were over 4 times more likely to die. Driving violations varied across drug/drug alcohol combinations. Speed-related violations were higher for drivers positive for stimulants, alcohol, cannabis, and cannabis plus alcohol, with a more than two fold increase for alcohol and cannabis (2.36, 2.05, 2.71).ConclusionsMechanisms through which drugs, alcohol and substance combinations produce increased risks to occupant safety include lowered restraint use and increases in risky driving behaviors, including speeding, lane, passing, turning and signal/sign violations.

Child Restraint Use and Driver Screening in Fatal Crashes Involving Drugs and Alcohol

“…In addition to their previously reported riskier driving patterns, 14 such drivers contribute to child endangerment because their child passengers are less likely to be restrained or appropriately seated. More than one-fourth of child passengers transported by drivers who screened positive for cannabis were unrestrained.…”

Association between speeding and use of alcohol and medicinal and illegal drugs and involvement in road traffic crashes among motor vehicle drivers

“…While speeding itself is a risk factor for crashes (Lancaster & Ward 2002), it has also been found to be associated with other risky driving behavior, such as DUI of alcohol, stimulants and cannabis (Golias & Karlaftis 2001;Iversen 2004;Liu et al 2016). As already mentioned, 42% of fatal RTCs were found to be related to speeding in Norway during 2005-14, while at least 21% were related to DUI of drugs or alcohol (Haldorsen 2015).…”

Kannabis Yasal, Ya Sonra…

“…Kannabis kullanımının, trafikte kaza ve ölümlere neden olabilecek psikomotor bozukluklara yol açtığı; ayrıca emniyet kemeri takmama, trafik yasalarının ihlali gibi durumlardan kaynaklanan kazalarda önemli bir faktör olarak saptandığı bildirilmektedir (46,47). Avrupa ülkelerinde narkotik madde grupları arasında, kannabis ciddi yaralanma veya ölümle sonuçlanan kazalarda birinci sırada yer almaktadır.…”