How often do younger people drive after using cannabis and alcohol?

Author(s)
Lenne, M. Fry, C. Dietze, P. & Rumbold, G.
Year
Abstract

There is considerable debate concerning the effects of cannabis on driving and whether it has a causal role in traffic accidents. Although there is some evidence showing that cannabis impairs psychomotor performance, epidemiological studies suggest that there is a limited increase in accident risk associated with the use of cannabis alone. Cannabis used with alcohol however does appear to significantly increase accident risk. Whilst survey research has documented the proportion of people, particularly younger people, who use cannabis, there are few reports examining the frequency with which people drive while affected by cannabis. The research reported in this paper was designed to address this issue directly. A survey of 67 cannabis users in Melbourne was conducted in which participants were questioned at length about their patterns of cannabis and alcohol use and driving, and their attitudes regarding driving while intoxicated. The participants drive more frequently after using cannabis alone than after using cannabis with alcohol. In terms of the effects of these drugs on driving skills, these participants believed that cannabis with alcohol is much more dangerous than cannabis alone. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E202275.

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Publication

Library number
C 38313 (In: C 38292 CD-ROM) /83 / ITRD E202296
Source

In: Proceedings of the 2nd Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference, University House, Canberra, Australia, 28-30 November 1999, p. 387-394

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This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.