Journal article
The who, what and when of drug driving in Queensland: Analysing the results of roadside drug testing, 2015–2020
Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol.159, pp.1-9
2021
PMID: 34130055
Abstract
Roadside Drug Testing (RDT) is the primary strategy utilised in Australia to detect and deter drug driving. RDT operations have been expanding and evolving in Queensland since their introduction in 2007, with the number of tests increasing by 5.63 times between 2009 and 2019. The objective of this paper was to explore trends and characteristics of the 60,551 positive results detected in Queensland’s RDT program (from January 2015 to June 2020), which focuses on the detection of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (MA). The analysis indicated that (over the entire testing period) MA was the most common drug detected in isolation (39.4%), followed by THC (34%) and the combination of MA and THC (21.9%). When considering detections with two or more drugs, MA was present in 64% of detections, THC in 59% and MDMA in 1.8%. THC was most commonly detected among younger drivers (e.g., aged 16 to 24), while MA was most commonly detected with drivers aged 25 and 59 years. Analysis of sociodemographic and contextual factors revealed that positive roadside tests were most commonly associated with males who had consumed methamphetamines, aged between 30 and 39 who were driving a car on a Friday or Saturday between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The findings provide some indication as to the extent of drug driving within Queensland (and growing use of MA) and have clear implications for enforcement activities, not least, directing sufficient resources to address the burgeoning problem.
Details
- Title
- The who, what and when of drug driving in Queensland: Analysing the results of roadside drug testing, 2015–2020
- Authors
- Laura Mills (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyJames Freeman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyJeremy Davey (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyBenjamin Davey (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
- Publication details
- Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol.159, pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106231
- ISSN
- 1879-2057
- PMID
- 34130055
- 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
- 99543308602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Ergonomics
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
- Transportation
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