dcbwhaley wrote:
How much research has been done on the effects of recreational drugs (other than alcohol) on the ability to drive safely?
I have seen various sections on this over recent years. Certainly there is a fair bit out there, a quick look reveals this :
Scotland Gov - Investigates the prevalence and social context of drug driving in Scotland
here Pdf doc of which I see a statement : The views expressed in this report are those of the researchers and do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers. Carried out by : Katherine Myant, Steven Hope - MORI Scotland
Prof James McIntosh, Tommy O’Brien, Prof Neil McKeganey - Centre for Drugs Misuse Research, University of Glasgow
Prof Steve Stradling, Transport Research Institute, Napier University
The Government's Response to the Reports by Sir Peter North CBE QC and the Transport Select Committee on Drink and Drug Driving
here 21.3.11
This is the Government's response to the independent report on drink and drug driving in Great Britain commissioned by the previous Government from Sir Peter North in December 2009. The report was submitted to Ministers in May 2010 and published on 16 June 2010. It is also a response to the report of the Transport Select Committee, 'Drink and Drug Driving Law', which was published on 2 December 2010 following its inquiry into Sir Peter's main recommendations.
Pdf report doc - The Government's Response to the Reports by Sir Peter North CBE QC and the Transport Select Committee on Drink and Drug Driving (Pg 38 + for Drugs)
Potential solutions to approaches to help change behaviours can be found
here. Especially interesting as it looks at why prior influential messages have failed through mis-interpretations of the core message was confusing or disbelieved. (The belief that they are a good or better driver when on drugs")
Makes you wonder why the 'false belief' / Dutch courage concept was not used! Still it still can be of course. - Slow reactions or quicker? (is that possible?).
This massage also failed as there was little belief that any police interactions would ever happen so conviction of use was also low.
Difficulty in the Police actually telling if people are on drugs was a big failure in the message too, as most believed that another person needs to be up close before they have any chance of telling. (According to this report from users).
From what I can see it completely lacked any 'self-interest' aspect whatsoever and that is key to really helping to motivate people to act 'appropriately' (as desired).
Asking why do people see that the positive incentives outweigh any potential deterrent (prosecution). So if we can understand why people seek to find 'sensations' from the drugs, or what is lacking from their lives to want to seek this in the first place whether it is a form of 'escapism' or to find fun, or to take a risk, each reason needs to be addressed and resolutions found.
At what level is heightening one's 'senses' when travelling harmful and what analysis identifies that negative level?
Independent North Review of Drink and Drug Driving Law
hereDRUG DRIVING TESTING MECHANISMS USED GLOBALLY - David Battye
This Paper looks at the current ways which police can detect for motorists who are driving on drugs. It looks at the testing procedures, and the devices used. It also examines the effects of driving on various drugs looks at the research that has taken place on an international level.
Which specifically states :
"European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) published a detailed response to the issue of drug driving.
Studies on the effects of psychoactive substances on driving performance suggest that while both illicit and therapeutic drugs can affect driving, the effects and extent can vary greatly from substance to substance.
The latest research suggests that:
- cannabis can reduce performance;
- benzodiazepines are generally impairing;
- of the opioids, heroin can impair severely, methadone less so, and buprenorphine even less;
The data for stimulant drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy are more mixed, but suggest that high doses are associated with impairment.
An objective measure for impairment for each drug, similar to the blood alcohol concentration, remains elusive.
Definition of ‘Drug Driving’ according to EMCDDA:
“Driving under the influence”: Depending on the country’s laws, this may refer to a driver who has: a measured reduction of cognitive or psychomotor skills, impulsivity; or more than a defined amount of the drug in the blood, expected to produce such effects at that level; or any trace of drugs in the blood.
Snapshot of Key Issues:
Few countries have reliable statistics on the prevalence of driving under the influence of drugs.
Obtaining sound scientific evidence on behavioural effects, prevalence and accident risk is difficult with the available data. Many of the studies have small samples and it is often difficult to generalise from their results.
Various psychoactive medicines, which might or might not be legally prescribed and consumed, can impair driving skills.
Currently, police experience considerable difficulty with the accurate and rapid identification of drug driving at the roadside.
Barriers to Building up Scientific Evidence:
More than 30 studies on the prevalence of drugs among drivers have been carried out across Europe since 1999. However, these studies have used various methods and sampled different groups of drivers, making it difficult to draw overall conclusions.
New international guidance for standardisation of study designs have been drawn up with the assistance of the EMCDDA and the European Commission’s DG Transport. It takes into account differences between countries’ legislation and testing policies, providing over a hundred recommendations subdivided into areas of behaviour, epidemiology and toxicology.
...also
Motorists using Psychoactive Medicines:
Psychoactive medicines, such as painkillers, sedatives, antidepressants and antihistamines can sometimes have considerable effects on the capabilities of drivers.
Results from studies suggest that drivers may be using these drugs either for medical reasons following prescription, or misusing them with illicit substances."
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