Differences in the risk profiles of drunk and drug drivers: Evidence from a mandatory roadside survey

Background: The study assesses the prevalence rates of alcohol- and drug-involved driving in Catalonia (Spain). Method: Drivers were randomly selected for roadside testing using a stratified random sampling procedure representative of all vehicles circulating on non-urban roads. Mandatory alcohol an...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alcañiz, Manuela, Guillén, Montserrat, Santolino, Miguel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/173489
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/173489
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Gestió del risc
Conducció de vehicles de motor
Consum d'alcohol i accidents de trànsit
Drogues
Variables aleatòries
Risk management
Motor vehicle driving
Drinking and traffic accidents
Drugs of abuse
Random variables
Descripción
Sumario:Background: The study assesses the prevalence rates of alcohol- and drug-involved driving in Catalonia (Spain). Method: Drivers were randomly selected for roadside testing using a stratified random sampling procedure representative of all vehicles circulating on non-urban roads. Mandatory alcohol and drug tests were performed during autumn 2017. A sample of 6860 drivers were tested for alcohol use, of these 671 were also tested for drugs. Standard procedures were employed by traffic officers to detect alcohol and drug use. Alcohol breath tests were performed with breathalyser devices and on-site drug screening systems were used to test for drugs. Results: The prevalence of alcohol use above the legal limit and drug use were 1.2 % (95 % CI: 0.9-1.5 %) and 8.3 % (95 % CI: 5.8-11.2 %), respectively. The most frequent drugs detected were THC (5.6 %, 95 % CI: 3.7-8.0 %), cocaine (3.5 %, 95 % CI: 2.0-5.5 %) and amphetamines (1.6 %, 95 % CI: 0.6-3.4 %). Alcohol use was detected more frequently on conventional roads, at weekends and during night-time hours. Drug use was detected more frequently in young males during daytime hours. Conclusions: Driver risk profiles associated with alcohol use and drug use differ. Positive alcohol use is not a predictor of drug use when controlling for all other factors.