Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Epidemiology and traffic safety: culpability studies

  • Chapter
Drugs, Driving and Traffic Safety

Abstract

Scientific proof that drugs capable of impairing skills required for safe driving has only come relatively recently, although the proof for ethanol (alcohol) came almost 40 years earlier. Instrumental in obtaining this evidence has been the use of culpability studies. These have provided an epidemiological basis to demonstrate an increased risk for use of amphetamine-type stimulants, cocaine and for those drivers showing recent use of cannabis through the presence of THC greater 5 ng/mL in blood. Significant increases in risk (through odd’s ratio analysis) using this form of study has not been demonstrated for opiates. Benzodiazepines has provided consistent increases in risk in this form of analysis mainly because they are usually associated with other drugs (including alcohol). However, alcohol-drug and impairing drug-drug combinations generally show a very high culpability rate and are usually higher than one impairing drug alone. Culpability studies complement case control and other types of epidemiological evidence that links, or attempts to link, recent drug use with a vehicular crash.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Borkenstein FR, Crowther RF, Shumate RP, Zeil WB, Zylman R (1974) The role of the drinking driver in traffic accidents. Blutalkohol 11

    Google Scholar 

  2. Terhune KW (1986) Problems and methods in studying drug crash effects. Alcohol, Drugs and Driving 2: 1–13

    Google Scholar 

  3. Terhune KW, Fell JC (1982) The role of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs in the accidents of injured drivers: Tech. Rep. under Contract No. DOT-HS-5-01179. Calspan Field Services Inc, Buffalo, New York

    Google Scholar 

  4. Robertson MD, Drummer OH (1994) Responsibility analysis: a methodology to study the effects of drugs in driving. Accid Anal Prev 26: 243–247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Timby N, Sjogren H, Bjornstig U, Eriksson A (1998) Crash responsibility versus drug and alcohol use among fatally injured and hospitalized motor vehicle drivers in Sweden. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 22: 1838–1841

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Crouch DJ, Birky MM, Gust SW, Rollins DE, Walsh JM, Moulden JV, Quinlan KE, Beckel RW (1993) The prevalence of drugs and alcohol in fatally injured truck drivers. J Forensic Sci 38: 1342–1353

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Chipman ML, Macdonald S, Mann RE (2003) Being “at fault” in traffic crashes: does alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or polydrug abuse make a difference? Inj Prev 9: 343–348

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Drummer OH, Gerostamoulos J, Chu M, Batziris H, Caplehorn JRN, Robertson MD (2004) The involvement of drugs in drivers of motor vehicles killed in Australian road traffic crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention 36: 239–248

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Drummer OH, Gerostamoulos J, Batziris H, Chu M, Caplehorn J, Robertson MD, Swann P (2004) The involvement of drugs in drivers of motor vehicles killed in Australian road traffic crashes. Accident Analysis & Prevention 36: 239–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Soderstrom CA, Dischinger PC, Kufera JA, Ho SM, Shepard A (2005) Crash culpability relative to age and sex for injured drivers using alcohol, marijuana or cocaine. Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med 49: 327–341

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Terhune KW, Ippolito CA, Hendricks DL, Michalovic JG, Bogema SC, Santinga P, Blomber R, Preusser DF (1992) The incidence and role of drugs in fatally injured drivers. US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  12. Longo MC, Hunter CE, Lokan RJ, White JM, White MA (2000) The prevalence of alcohol, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and stimulants amongst injured drivers and their role in driver culpability: part ii: the relationship between drug prevalence and drug concentration, and driver culpability. Accid Anal Prev 32: 623–632.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lowenstein SR, Koziol-Mclain J (2001) Drugs and traffic crash responsibility: a study of injured motorists in Colorado. J Trauma 50: 313–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Soderstrom CA, Birschbach JM, Dischinger PC (1990) Injured drivers and alcohol use: culpability, convictions, and pre-and post-crash driving history. J Trauma 30: 1208–1213; discussion 1213–1214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kufera JMA, Soderstrom CMD, Dischinger PCPD, Ho SMS, Shepard AMD (2006) Crash Culpability And The Role Of Driver Blood Alcohol Levels. Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med 50: 87–102

    Google Scholar 

  16. Maio RF, Waller PF, Blow FC, Hill EM, Singer KM (1997) Alcohol abuse/dependence in motor vehicle crash victims presenting to the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med 4: 256–262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. McLaughlin JG, Smith RJ, Mattice CR, Scholten DJ (1993) Hospitalization and injury influence on the prosecution of drunk drivers. Am Surg 59: 484–488; discussion 488–489

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Williams AF, Peat MA, Crouch DJ, Wells JK, Finkle BS (1985) Drugs in fatally injured young male drivers. Public Health Rep 100: 19–25

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Logan BK (2002) Methamphetamine — effects on human performance and behavior. Forensic Sci Reviews 14: 133–151

    Google Scholar 

  20. Drummer OH, Odell M (2001) The forensic pharmacology of drugs of abuse. Arnold, London

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lamers CT, Ramaekers JG, Muntjewerff ND, Sikkema KL, Samyn N, Read NL, Brookhuis KA, Riedel WJ (2003) Dissociable effects of a single dose of ecstasy (MDMA) on psychomotor skills and attentional performance. J Psychopharmacol 17: 379–387

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Laumon B, Gadegbeku B, Martin JL, Biecheler MB (2005) Cannabis intoxication and fatal road crashes in France: population based case-control study. Bmj. 331: 1371. Epub 2005 Dec 1371.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Logan BK (1996) Methamphetamine and driving impairment. J Forensic Sci 41: 457–464

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Logan BK (2002) Methamphetamine — effects on human performance and behavior. Forensic Science Reviews 14: 133–151

    Google Scholar 

  25. Smart RG, Schmidt W, Bateman K (1969) Psychoactive drugs and traffic accidents. Journal of Safety Research 1: 67–72

    Google Scholar 

  26. NHTSA (1992) The incidence and role of drugs in fatally injured drivers. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

    Google Scholar 

  27. (1993) Are benzodiazepines a risk factor for road accidents? “Benzodiazepine/Driving” Collaborative Group. Drug Alcohol Depend 33: 19–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Barbone F, McMahon AD, Davey PG, Morris AD, Reid IC, McDevitt DG, MacDonald TM (1998) Association of road-traffic accidents with benzodiazepine use. Lancet 352: 1331–1336

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Jick H, Hunter JR, Dinan BJ, Masen S, Stergachis A (1981) Sedating drugs and automobile accidents leading to hospitalization. American Journal of Public Health 71: 1399–1400

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Leveille SG, Buchner DM, Koepsell TD, McCloskey LW, Wolf ME, Wagner EH (1994) Psychoactive medications and injurious motor vehicle collisions involving older drivers. Epidemiology 5: 591–598

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Honkanen R, Ertama L, Linnoila M, Alha A, Lukkari I, Karlsson M, Kiviluoto O, Puro M (1980) Role of drugs in traffic accidents. Br Med J 281: 1309–1312

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Skegg DCG, Ricards SM, Doll R (1979) Minor tranquilizers and road accidents. British Medical Journal 1: 917–919

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ray WA, Fought RL, Decker MD (1992) Psychoactive drugs and the risk of injurious motor vehicle crashes in elderly drivers. Am J Epidemiol 136: 873–883

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Neutel CI (1995) Risk of traffic accident injury after a prescription for a benzodiazepine. Ann Epidemiol 5: 239–244

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Huestis M (2001) Marijuana: — Efects on human performance and behavior. Forensic Sci Reviews 14: 15–60

    Google Scholar 

  36. Drummer OH (2007) Pharmacology and toxicology. In: M Burns (ed): Medical-legal aspects of drugs. Lawyers & Judges Publishing co., Tucson, AZ, 13–22

    Google Scholar 

  37. Huestis MA (2002) Cannabis (marijuana) — Effects on human performance and behavior. Forensic Science Reviews 14: 15–60

    Google Scholar 

  38. Drummer OH (1994) Drugs in drivers killed in Australian road traffic accidents. Monash University Department of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne

    Google Scholar 

  39. Ramaekers JG, Berghaus G, van Laar M, Drummer OH (2004) Dose related risk of motor vehicle crashes after cannabis use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 73: 109–119

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Longo MC, Hunter CE, Lokan RJ, White JM, White MA (2000) The prevalence of alcohol, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and stimulants amongst injured drivers and their role in driver culpability: Part I: the prevalence of drug use in drivers, and characteristics of the drug-positive group. Accident Analysis & Prevention 32: 613–622

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Grotenhermen F, Leson G, Berghaus G, Drummer OH, Kruger HP, Longo M, Moskowitz H, Perrine B, Ramaekers JG, Smiley A et al (2007) Developing limits for driving under cannabis. Addiction 102: 1910–1917

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Bédard M, Dubois S, Weaver B (2007) The impact of cannabis on driving. Can J Public Health 98: 6–11

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Longo MC, Lokan RJ, White JM (2001) The relationship between blood benzodiazepine concentration and vehicle crash culpability. J Traffic Med 29: 36–43

    Google Scholar 

  44. Isenschmid DS (2002) Cocaine — Effects on human performance and behavior. Forensic Sci Review 14: 61–100

    Google Scholar 

  45. Dussault C, Brault M, Lemire AM, Bouchard J (2001) The role of cocaine in fatal crashes: First results of the Quebec drug study: 45th Annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine

    Google Scholar 

  46. Mura P, Kintz P, Ludes B, Gaulier JM, Marquet P, Martin-Dupont S, Vincent F, Kaddour A, Goulle JP, Nouveau J et al (2003) Comparison of the prevalence of alcohol, cannabis and other drugs between 900 injured drivers and 900 control subjects: results of a French collaborative study. Forensic Sci Int 133: 79–85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Movig KLL, Mathijssen MPM, Nagel PHA, van Egmond T, de Gier JJ, Leufkens HGM, Egberts ACG (2004) Psychoactive substance use and the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Accident Analysis & Prevention 36: 631–636

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Drummer OH, Gerostamoulos J, Batziris H, Chu M, Caplehorn JRM, Robertson MD, Swann P (2003) The incidence of drugs in drivers killed in Australian road traffic crashes. Forensic Science International 134: 154–162

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, 57-83 Kavanagh St, Southbank 3006, Australia

    Olaf H. Drummer (Head (Forensic and Scientific Services)

Authors
  1. Olaf H. Drummer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Utrecht University Faculty of Science Section Psychopharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Joris C. Verster

  2. Somnogen Inc., 8790 112th Street, New York, NY, 11418, USA

    S. R. Pandi-Perumal

  3. Experimental Psychopharmacology Unit, Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology Faculty of Psychology and Neurosciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Johannes G. Ramaekers

  4. Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Johan J. de Gier

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Birkhäuser Verlag/Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Drummer, O.H. (2009). Epidemiology and traffic safety: culpability studies. In: Verster, J.C., Pandi-Perumal, S.R., Ramaekers, J.G., de Gier, J.J. (eds) Drugs, Driving and Traffic Safety. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-9923-8_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation