Drivers who use illicit drugs: behaviour and perceived risks

This exploratory research was conducted in response to concern about prevalences of illicit drugs in drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents in Victoria, Australia. Five focus groups (36 participants in all) and a field survey (160 participants) were used to investigate the perceptions and behaviours of drivers who use illicit opiates, stimulants and cannabis. The participants were aware of many drug effects which may impair driving ability, but believed they were not at significantly increased risk of accidents. For many participants, drug use was closely linked to driving; most of the heroin and amphetamine users drove to purchase their drugs and frequently used drugs inside a car. Some of the amphetamine users who deliberately drug-drove reported alarming attitudes and behaviour. Few participants were concerned about the illegality of their driving behaviour, and nearly 10% were driving unlicensed. Heroin users perceived drug-induced tiredness as an accident risk, and reported frequently experiencing this condition. Altering drug-driving behaviour is likely to be difficult, given drug dependence for some users and heavy reliance on private motor vehicles for transport in Melbourne, but also because of conflicting scientific evidence linking impairment to the use of most illicit drugs.