NCJ Number
208722
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 61-70
Date Published
February 2005
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between illicit drug use and driving behavior.
Abstract
Most research about drug driving in Australia has been undertaken from the perspective of road safety. This narrow perspective leaves unexamined the broader behavioral, contextual, and cultural issues associated with drug use. The current study examined drug driving behavior within the context of illicit substance abuse and explored the motivations behind drug driving behavior from the perspective of the drug user. Participants were 211 illicit drug users who engaged in qualitative, focused interviews regarding contextual issues associated with driving and drug use. Results indicated that drug users considered their cars a safe place to use drugs; all participants reported using drugs in their car. The illegality of driving while under the influence of drugs held little relevance for the participants and most reported their drug driving behavior as low-risk. Few participants thought the drug use impacted their driving skills. The findings offer an important framework for the development of intervention and education programming on drug driving in that drug driving was not seen as deviant behavior by the drug users, but was rather seen as a normal outcome of illicit substance use. Any drug driving intervention strategy must be delivered within the context of drug dependent behavior. References