MUARC Baseline Research Program to Assess the Impact of Drug Use on Road Safety: Report 1 – Review of International Literature on Drug-driving and Countermeasure Opportunities

This report examines five key topics regarding drug-driving: 1) prevalence and 2) trends in the use of illicit drugs, drug-driving and crashes; 3) estimates of crash risk associated with drug-driving; 4) attitudes, motivations and perceptions associated with driving under the influence of drugs; 5) countermeasures designed to address drug-driving, including legislation, enforcement, education and behaviour change programs. The intent was to provide a deeper understanding of drug-driving from which drug-driving countermeasures could be identified. This review focussed on the three illicit drugs under which it is currently an offence to have present in the body in Victoria, namely amphetamine/methamphetamines, ecstasy (MDMA) and cannabis (marijuana/THC).

A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted to address these topic areas. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement, research published in the 1995 – 2015 period was examined. The sub-section that examined crash risk included a series of later meta-analysis papers given their importance in understanding the association between drug use, crash risk and crash culpability.

This report provides a comprehensive examination of contemporary issues relating to drug-driving in Victoria. Based on the collective body of research examined, a series of focused countermeasures have been identified.