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Drug use, a growing challenge for EU road safety
Alcohol remains the number one substance endangering lives on European roads, but more drivers are now found to be using illicit drugs and psychoactive medicines, presenting a growing challenge for policymakers. This is according to the EMCDDA’s latest report on drugs and driving, released in December.
The report, Drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents, a review of the latest research in this field, explores the potential impact on road safety (1). Concerns are expressed in the report over the prevalence of drivers under the influence of drugs on EU roads as well as the detection of a broader range of drugs. ‘The range of psychoactive substances available for illicit use today is widening’, says the report ‘and the latest studies which look for evidence of their use in drivers are indeed finding increased rates’.
The report is dedicated to the effects and risks associated with the use of individual substances or with multiple drug use. Among the substances covered are amphetamines, cannabis and cocaine as well as a range of synthetic drugs (ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, PCP). Also included are opioids (buprenorphine, fentanyl, heroin, methadone and morphine) and benzodiazepines (e.g. sedatives).
‘Preventing driving under the influence of drugs is targeted by the current EU drugs strategy 2005–12 and its action plans’, said EMCDDA Director Wolfgang Götz, ‘and policymakers are increasingly called upon to respond to the problems of road fatalities linked to licit and illicit substances. Determining the link between drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents is a remarkably complex subject and a fast-moving area of research. With this report we aim to offer a precise overview of findings to date and an important signpost towards more effective solutions in the future’.
Research covered in the report is broadly split into two types: epidemiological and experimental. Epidemiological studies examine the prevalence of drugs in driving populations, and are conducted through a range of surveys (e.g. roadside, hospitals). Experimental studies, where a drug is administered to volunteers in measured doses, help gauge potential risks through performance tests (e.g. assessing reaction times, visual skills); driving simulator exercises (e.g. testing braking ability); and real driving ‘tests’ on the road (e.g. monitoring deviation, speed).
According to the report, experimental studies show that most illicit drugs can affect some aspect of driving performance and increase the risk of being involved in a traffic accident. And chronic (long-term) use of any illicit drug can decrease driving performance, even when the subject is no longer intoxicated.
Dominique Lopez and Brendan Hughes
See the full range of EMCDDA products on drugs and driving on the drugs and driving thematic page.
In this issue...
- In aqua veritas? Illicit drugs in wastewater
- New EU drugs action plan: mobilising European citizens
- HIV among IDUs in Europe: increasing trends in the East
- EU-LAC cities collaborate on drug treatment data collection
- Improving access to treatment
- Concerns expressed over Spice
- Towards the better treatment of addiction
- Best practice portal: selective prevention
- Drug use, a growing challenge for EU road safety
- Creating and consolidating national drug observatories
- Identifying Europe’s information needs
- Legal responses to new psychoactive substances in Europe
- Reitox Academy for the Andean Community
- National reporting: new guidelines for 2009
- Scientific Committee members present vision for next three years
- Management Board adopts 2009 work programme and budget
- Farewell to Pompidou Group chief
Drugnet Europe is also available in downloadable PDF format, for printing or offline browsing.
Drugnet Europe is the EMCDDA's newsletter launched in September 1996. The newsletter provides regular and succint information on the Centre's projects and activities to a broad readership.
Page last updated: Friday, 20 February 2009