Highlights Patterns of drug-involvement among drivers killed in traffic crashes are changing. Drug-positive prevalence increased 49% from 1999–2000 to 2009–2010. Prescription drug use by drivers in fatal traffic crashes has considerably risen. The use of purely illicit drugs (i.e. cocaine) in fatal crashes has declined.

    Abstract Objective Driving under the influence of drugs is a global traffic safety and public health concern. This trend analysis examines the changes in general drug usage other than alcohol, broad categories, and typical prescription and illegal drugs among drivers fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes from 1999 to 2010 in the U.S. Methods Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System were analyzed from 1999 to 2010. Drug prevalence rates and prevalence ratios (PR) were determined comparing rates in 2009–2010 to 1999–2000 using a random effects model. Changes in general drug usage, broad categories, and representative prescription and illegal drugs including, methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and cocaine, were explored. Results Comparing 2009–2010 to 1999–2000, prevalence of drug usage increased 49% (PR=1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 1.55). The largest increases in broad drug categories were narcotics (PR=2.73; 95% CI 2.41, 3.08), depressants (PR=2.01; 95% CI 1.80, 2.25), and cannabinoids (PR=1.99; 95% CI 1.84, 2.16). The PR were 6.37 (95% CI 5.07, 8.02) for hydrocodone/oxycodone, 4.29 (95% CI 2.88, 6.37) for methadone, and 2.27 (95% CI 2.00, 2.58) for benzodiazepines. Barbiturates declined in rate over the 12-year period (PR=0.53; 95% CI 0.37, 0.75). Cocaine use increased until 2005 then progressively declined, though the rate remained relatively unchanged (PR=0.94; 95% CI 0.84, 1.06). Conclusions While more drivers are being tested and found drug-positive, there is evidence that a shift from illegal to prescription drugs may be occurring among fatally injured drivers in the U.S. Driving under the influence of prescription drugs is a growing traffic concern.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Trends in drug use among drivers killed in U.S. traffic crashes, 1999–2010


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2014-04-06


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    The involvement of drugs in drivers of motor vehicles killed in Australian road traffic crashes

    Drummer, Olaf H. / Gerostamoulos, Jim / Batziris, Helen et al. | Elsevier | 2002




    Characteristics of Traffic Crashes Among Young, Middle-Aged and Older Drivers

    McGwin, G. / Brown, D. / Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998