The effects of alcohol use on a person’s driving abilities are well-documented. Likewise, many studies about trends in alcohol use among fatally injured drivers are also available. On the other hand, less is known about the effects of drug use on driving ability and the prevalence of drug use among persons involved in fatal and serious injury collisions. In recent years, there has been growing concern about drug-impaired driving, particularly among younger drivers. In a student survey conducted in Ontario by the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), 4% of respondents in Grades 10 through 12 who were licensed to drive admitted to driving within an hour of consuming two or more alcoholic drinks within the past year. By comparison, 10% of respondents admitted that they drove within one hour of using cannabis. More recently, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) reported in its Road Safety Monitor 2013 (RSM) on drugs and driving, that 7.9% of 16-24 year old respondents admitted to driving within two hours of consuming prescription drugs. In light of this pressing need, the goal of this fact sheet is to provide more information about drug use among fatally injured 16-19 year old drivers in Canada. This fact sheet, sponsored by State Farm, examines the role of drug use among fatally injured 16-19 year old drivers in Canada. Fatally injured drug-impaired drivers include those who test positive for: * cannabis; * other illicit drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA); or, * either over-the-counter or prescription drugs that affect one’s driving. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting