Driving under the influence of drugs
Drugs and driving
Increasing use of drugs
The use of illegal drugs by the younger generation has been found to be frequent and increasing. Nearly half of 16 to 24 year olds in England and Wales are reported as using cannabis at least once.
Literature review on the relation between drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents - read more here
Furthermore, 39% reported having taken hallucinogens, with other drugs being taken by fewer 16 to 24 year olds. In a survey of club-goers in Scotland, 69% had taken cannabis and 85% had at some time driven after using illegal drugs
Recreational drug use and driving: a qualitative study - read more here
Implications of drug taking on driving
The wider implications of this behaviour are beginning to emerge. Recent research indicates an increasing incidence of road traffic accidents where people have tested positive for drugs, ie drugs which may have had a contributory factor to the cause of the crash. The Transport Research Laboratory carried out tests to detect alcohol and drug levels in people involved in fatal collisions between 1985 and 1987, and then again between 1996 and 1999. The results show a six fold increase in the percentage of people testing positive for illegal drugs (with detection of cannabis increasing from 2.6% to 11.9%). Over the same period, the incidence of medicinal drugs and alcohol remained very similar. Drug taking overall, increased by a factor of three, and the proportion of those testing positive for multiple drugs increased dramatically.
Incidence of drugs and alcohol in road accident fatalities - Go to the Transport Research Laboratory website here
Detection of illicit and prescribed drugs in road traffic accidents
Further information
BMA Policy
The misuse of drugs (BMA, 1997)This highlighted potential problems relating to drugs and driving. The report noted that a study conducted in North Carolina found that 3.7% to 37% of drivers who were killed in road accidents had significant levels of cannabis in their blood.
Driving impairment through alcohol and other drugs (BMA, 1996)This examined drugs (both illegal and prescribed) and driving impairment. The leaflet outlined both UK and European legislation in relation to drugs and driving and also cited studies from the USA. The BMA recommended that the Department of Transport consider current and future use of drug testing on those involved in road traffic accidents. The BMA advised that individuals should not drive whilst under the influence of drugs both legal and illegal. They further recommended that guidance and labelling for drugs needed to be developed to ensure that individuals are fully aware of the effects they may have on driving ability.
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