The present study aimed to gather information on drug and alcohol use, the prevalence of drink and drug driving and attitudes to both in an undergraduate university cohort (n = 275). Further; the study aimed to contribute information to aid intervention program development by determining predictors of drink and drug driving behaviour: The study examines both drug and alcohol use and the influence of attitudes toward driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Results indicated that significant proportions of university students are engaging in the risk-taking behaviour of driving under the influence of drugs (25%), alcohol (14%), or both (8%). The results suggest that attitudes toward driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are a strong predictor of engaging in the behaviour. Peer influence emerged as a major aspect of attitudes. The results of this study provide an important beginning to understanding drink and drug driving and the influence of attitudes in the university student body. (Author/publisher).
Abstract