Drugs and Driving: Detection and Deterrence

Driving while impaired by drugs whether licit or illicit has emerged as an important road safety issue. This report provides a state-of-the-art review of the role and impact of drugs in road accident risk. It reviews the legislation, deterrence and roadside detection practices in member countries as well as preventative measures to combat drug use while driving. It provides recommendations on strategies to adopt in addressing this issue, with a view to contributing to a safe system approach and saving further lives on the roads.

Table of Content :

Foreword
Abstract
Executive Summary
-The Evidence
-Legislation, enforcement and prevention
-Conclusion
1. Introduction
-Purpose and objective of the report
-Approach
-Scope of the report
2. The Effects of Drugs on Safe Driving Performance
-Effects of medicinal versus illicit drugs on driving
-Assessment of Pharmacological effects and relation to driving skills
--Cannabis
--Central nervous system stimulents
--Central nervous system depressants
--Narcotic analgesics
--Hallucinogens, dissociatives and inhalents
-Drug testing procedures and their effects on epidemiological data
-Summary
3. Drug Use Among Drivers
-The environmental context of drug-driving
-Drug use among road users - Self-report surveys
-Drug use among road users - Roadside surveys
--Methodological issues
--Results
-Drug use among drivers injured in crashes
4. The Role of Drugs in Road Crashes
-Methodolgical issues
-The evidence
-Summary
5. Legislation, Enforcement and Prevention
-Legislation
--Behaviour-based statutes
--Per se laws
-Enforcement
--Behaviour-based statutes enforcement
--Per se law enforcement
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Appendix A. Questionnaire for Survey of OECD/ITF Countries
Advisory Group Members