Fatigue and beyond: patterns of and motivations for illicit drug use among long-haul truck drivers

Jeremy D Davey; Naomi L Richards; James E Freeman

doi:10.1080/15389580601186034

Back

Fatigue and beyond: patterns of and motivations for illicit drug use among long-haul truck drivers

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Fatigue and beyond: patterns of and motivations for illicit drug use among long-haul truck drivers

Jeremy D Davey, Naomi L Richards and James E Freeman

Traffic Injury Prevention, Vol.8(3), pp.253-259

2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15389580601186034

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Author Accepted Version70.33 kBDownload View

Accepted VersionPDF - Author Accepted Version Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1080/15389580601186034View

Published Version

Abstract

amphetamines

drug use career

fatigue

illicit drug use

truck drivers

Objectives. The present study aimed to investigate the illicit drug use patterns of long-distance truck drivers. This population is considered to be a special interest group in terms of drug-driving research and policy due to high rates of use, involvement of drugs in truck accidents, and the link between drug use and work-related fatigue. Methods. Qualitative interview data were collected from 35 long-haul truck drivers in Southeast Queensland and analyzed through grounded theory techniques. Interviews were conducted at truck stops and loading facilities in both metropolitan and regional cites throughout Queensland. Results. High rates of licit and illicit drug use (particularly amphetamines) were reported by the majority of the sample. However, unlike previous studies that focus on fatigue, this research found overlapping and changing motivations for drug use during individual lifetimes. Becker's model of a drug use "career" was utilized to reveal that some drivers begin illicit drug use before they commence truck driving. As well as fatigue, powerful motives such as peer pressure, wanting to fit the trucking "image," socialization, relaxation, and addiction were also reported as contributing factors to self-reported drug driving. Conclusions. The results indicate that these additional social factors may need to be considered and incorporated with fatigue factors when developing effective drug prevention or cessation policies for truck drivers.

Details

Title: Fatigue and beyond: patterns of and motivations for illicit drug use among long-haul truck drivers
Authors: Jeremy D Davey (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Naomi L Richards (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
James E Freeman (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Traffic Injury Prevention, Vol.8(3), pp.253-259
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc.
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.1080/15389580601186034
ISSN: 1538-9588
Copyright note: Copyright © 2007 Taylor & Francis Inc. Reproduced with permission. This is an electronic version of an article published in Traffic Injury Prevention, 8:3. 253-259. Traffic Injury Prevention is available online at: www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/15389580601186034.
Organisation Unit: Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450443202621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

17 File views/ downloads

175 Record Views