Drugs and driving: new international study

The incidence of drugs among drivers injured or killed in road accidents is in the range of 14-17 per cent, according to a new report published by the International Transport Forum, a transport think tank at the OECD. Cannabis and benzodiazepines top the list of drugs involved in lethal motor accidents, according to the study.
January 25, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

The incidence of drugs among drivers injured or killed in road accidents is in the range of 14-17 per cent, according to a new report published by the 998 International Transport Forum, a transport think tank at the OECD. Cannabis and benzodiazepines top the list of drugs involved in lethal motor accidents, according to the study.

Based on road-side tests, surveys and questionnaires from 16 countries, the new report Drugs and Driving: Detection and Deterrence highlights alarming facts regarding drug use by motorists:

  • The prevalence of drug use by drivers in North America now rivals or exceeds that of drivers who have been drinking.
  • Of over 500 high school students surveyed in Canada, 19.7% admitted to driving within an hour of using cannabis.
  • 27% of over 3 400 drivers killed in road accidents in Australia had some form of drug in their body system. In 14% of cases it was cannabis.
  • In a study of injured drivers in France, 14% of drivers also tested positive for cannabis.
  • Drugs were found in over 40% of injured drivers in two groups tested in the Netherlands.

The risk of accidents increases dramatically when drugs are combined with even a small amount of alcohol. Unlike alcohol, drugs mean many different substances – illegal as well as prescription medication. Applying a common standard such as blood alcohol concentration is therefore difficult. A policy of 'zero tolerance' can target illegal drugs, but not legal medication.

 “There is not one drug with one effect, but multiple drugs with multiple effects on the human body”, explained Jack Short, secretary general of the International Transport Forum, on the presentation of the report. “Both illicit substances and prescribed medicine are involved. Current drink-driving measures and legislation do not take this into account.”

The drugs and driving issue is moving up the policy agenda in many countries. A major EU-funded research project called DRUID (Driving under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol and Medicines) is currently being carried out across Europe. In the US, the 834 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is planning a large-scale study to examine the risks associated with driving after drug use. The results of these projects will contribute greatly to an increased understanding of the issues involved and help establish public policy along with enforcement and prevention measures.

The executive summary of Drugs and Driving: Detection and Deterrence can be downloaded from www.internationaltransportforum.org.

Related Content

  • May 25, 2023
    Transport is evolving – and road safety must keep pace, says Parifex
    France-headquartered Parifex works at the cutting edge of Lidar-based speed control systems. CEO Paul-Henri Renard discusses safety advances made in recent decades - and the causes of accidents that remain…
    Read More
  • February 6, 2020
    Polarised imaging gives enforcement clarity
    Polarised imaging advances have finally allowed ITS technology to catch up with previously unenforceable international bans on smoking in cars, says Sony’s Stephane Clauss
    Read More
  • April 17, 2012
    Enforcement cuts distracted driving dramatically
    The government of Indonesia says it is working to reduce the number of road deaths in the country by 50 per cent by 2020 and by 80 per cent by 2035. To achieve this, the government will be upgrading the road infrastructure as well as introducing a road safety programme that will run over a ten-year and 25-year plans, starting this year. The programme will be overseen by the National Planning Development Board with involvement of the national police as well as the public works, transportation, national educa
    Read More
  • April 30, 2012
    ITF leads the global debate on connectivity
    Political decision-makers, industry leaders, transport experts, and top thinkers from around the world, will debate how to create more seamless transport solutions for passengers and freight at the 2012 Summit of the International Transport Forum. The summit on “Seamless Transport: Making Connections” will take place May 2-4 in Leipzig, Germany, and aims to drive the international debate on better connectivity. The event will be held under the Presidency of Japan. The International Transport Forum at the OE
    Read More

Highlighted Content