Scientists discover what everyone who's ever seen a Cheech and Chong movie already know
University
of Cincinnati
A recent study of drugged driving, by a team of University of Cincinnati researchers, shows that a sizable percentage of individuals reported the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs while operating behind the wheel.
"We
need to focus our efforts on drugged driving, in addition to drunk driving,
because drugged driving causes such a high level of fatalities, says Andrew
Yockey, a doctoral student in UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice and
Human Services and researcher at the UC Center for Prevention Science.
Yockey
is lead author on the study "Drugged driving among U.S. adults: Results
from the 2016-2018 national survey on drug use and health" -- published in
the Journal of Safety Research.
"Even though less people are driving, drugs are increasing in availability and are being found in more reports of drugged driving in the U.S.," says Yockey.
The
study found that while 8.52% of adults reported driving under the influence of
alcohol, compared to 4.49% who drove under the influence of marijuana, a
sizable number of adults used both marijuana and other drugs while under the
influence of alcohol.
The
most commonly reported drugs used while drugged driving are marijuana and
opioids, with nearly one in five individuals reporting the use of marijuana
while driving a vehicle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Additionally,
the study states:
Sexual
minorities drove under the influence of alcohol more often than heterosexuals,
and a sizable percentage also used marijuana and other drugs including
inhalants (70.34%), cocaine (68.9%) and hallucinogens (63.7%) while driving.
Multiracial
individuals had heightened involvement in driving under the influence of
marijuana.
Males
were significantly more likely than females to engage in drugged driving.
The
research looked at sample data in the United States, the most recent available
at the time of the study collected from the National Survey Drug Use and Health
Survey; researchers say that current estimates are trending the same, despite
fewer people driving during the pandemic.
According
to the most current data from the National Institutes of Health, in 2016, among
people killed in driving accidents that year, 43.6% of drivers who were drug
tested and had positive results: 50.5% were positive for two or more drugs and
40.7% were positive for alcohol.
The
UC study is the first of its kind to examine drugged driving over multiple
years among adults in the U.S., says Yockey and the study's co-authors: Keith
King, the center's director, and co-director Rebecca Vidourek, both professors
at UC's School of Human Services.
As
legalization of marijuana and other drugs becomes more prevalent, King says,
"There is serious concern as to how legalization will affect driving
behaviors among adults," adding that more research is needed to
specifically evaluate the impact of legalization; particularly among those
found to be most vulnerable such as sexual minorities.
While
the team utilizes research to identify the risk factors, their efforts also
concentrate on education, preferably at an early age, and identifying
prevention strategies that are culturally relevant.
For
example, Vidourek says that some cultures and communities are less likely to
view marijuana as a drug and potentially harmful substance, which may affect
its use while driving. "Identifying messages and strategies that are
culturally relevant is imperative," she says.
"We
need to be vigilant because the trends are increasing," says Yockey.
