Cannabis and Driving

As more states in the U.S legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis, rates of driving under the influence of this drug are increasing significantly. Aspects of this emerging public health issue potentially pit science against public policy. The authors believe that the legal cart is currently significantly ahead of the scientific horse. Issues such as detection procedures for cannabis-impaired drivers, and use of blood THC levels to gauge impairment, should rely heavily on current scientific knowledge. However, there are many, often unacknowledged research gaps in these and related areas, that need to be addressed in order provide a more coherent basis for public policies. This review focuses especially on those areas. In this article we review in a focused manner, current information linking cannabis to motor vehicle accidents and examine patterns of cannabis-impairment of driving related behaviors, their time courses, relationship to cannabis dose and THC blood levels, and compare cannabis and alcohol-impaired driving patterns directly. This review also delves into questions of alcohol-cannabis combinations and addresses the basis for of per-se limits in cannabis driving convictions. Finally, we distinguish between areas where research has provided clear answers to the above questions, areas that remain unclear, and make recommendations to fill gaps in current knowledge.

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Predicting Alcohol-Impaired Driving among Spanish Youth with the Theory of Reasoned Action

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1017/sjp.2015.44 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

José P. Espada ◽

Kenneth W. Griffin ◽

María T. Gonzálvez ◽

Mireia Orgilés

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Theory Of Reasoned Action ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Reasoned Action ◽

Drunk Driving ◽

Driving Under The Influence ◽

Impaired Driving ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Young Drivers ◽

Alcohol Impaired Driving

AbstractAlcohol consumption is a risk factor for motor vehicle accidents in young drivers. Crashes associated with alcohol consumption typically have greater severity. This study examines the prevalence of driving under the influence among Spanish youth and tests the theory of reasoned action as a model for predicting driving under the influence. Participants included 478 Spanish university students aged 17–26 years. Findings indicated that alcohol was the substance most associated with impaired driving, and was involved in more traffic crashes. Men engage in higher levels of alcohol and other drug use, and perceived less risk in drunk driving (p < .01). The study confirms that alcohol use and driving under the influence of alcohol are highly prevalent in Spanish young people, and some gender differences exist in these behaviors (p < .01). Furthermore, the study confirms the validity of theory of reasoned action as a predictive model of driving under the influence of alcohol among youth in Spain (p < .001) and can help in the design of prevention programs.

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Discriminant Profile of Young Adulthood Driving Behavior among Brazilian Drivers

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1017/sjp.2013.10 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Renata Maria Dotta-Panichi ◽

Adriana Wagner ◽

Jorge Castellá Sarriera

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Driving Behavior ◽

Education Level ◽

Driving Under The Influence ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

Traffic Tickets

AbstractThe aim of this article was to describe the driving behavior profile of drivers aged 18 to 25 years old. Four hundred young adults were interviewed, 320 (80%) of them male and 80 (20%) female. Cluster analysis identified a group characterized by sensation-seeking behavior (Cluster 1), a group that did not show any risky driving behavior (Cluster 2), and a group engaged in transgressive behavior and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (Cluster 3). Discriminant analysis classified successfully and correctly 81.3% of the young adults into their original profiles. Function 1 distinguished cluster 1 from clusters 2 and 3, on the basis of the following factors: higher frequency of alcohol consumption, intrusive behavior, and motorcycle riding, as well as younger age, more aggressive behavior, and lower education level. Function 2 distinguished cluster 3 from cluster 1 and 2, especially as to higher amounts of alcohol consumption, higher frequency of marijuana use and delinquent behavior, larger number of traffic tickets and motor vehicle accidents, higher paternal education level, which were the variables with discriminant values above .20. Characteristics of vulnerability were identified, especially those related to alcohol consumption, drug use, and externalizing issues.

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Driving Under the Influence, Public Policy, and Pharmacy Practice

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190014549839 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 119-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Nicholas Sigona ◽

Karl G. Williams

Keyword(s):

Motor Vehicle ◽

Pharmacy Practice ◽

The Body ◽

Driving Under The Influence ◽

Mood Stabilizers ◽

Legal Responsibility ◽

Impaired Driving ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Driving Impairment ◽

Drug Impairment

Motor vehicle accidents due to prescription drug impairment have increased in the past decade. Typically, impairment is associated with medications causing excessive drowsiness, such as opioids or benzodiazepines, but the scope of driving under the influence (DUI)-drug charges is reaching into medications that are not typically considered impairing, such as antipsychotics, antiepileptics, and mood stabilizers. Data associating medication use with driving impairment are growing, especially with agents not typically thought of as impairing. Forty-three states currently train drug recognition experts who employ a 12-step evaluation to detect the presence of drug impairment. Seventeen states have instituted “per se” laws, which make it illegal to drive with the presence of drugs or metabolites in the body. Pharmacists should recognize an ethical, professional, and perhaps legal responsibility to inform patients of the risk of impaired driving with prescription agents. Pharmacists should reconsider how they are counseling patients on medication impairment and lower their threshold for warning a patient of potential impairment, expanding to agents typically not thought of as impairing. Pharmacists are in a position to ensure that patients fully understand the risk of impaired driving and the potential for DUI prosecution.

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A Perspective From the Middle East on the Topic of Concussion

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v12n6p30 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 30

Author(s):

Z. Chemali ◽

F. Ezzeddine ◽

R. Tcheroyan ◽

D. Acar

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Traffic Accidents ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Sports Injuries ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Head Injuries ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Lack Of Sleep ◽

Extremity Injuries

Background: Concussion is the most prevalent form of traumatic brain injury. Western countries debate it as a public health issue. Middle Eastern (ME) countries lag behind with a concussion incidence surveillance of 25% that of European countries. Objective: The purpose of our study was to review concussion resulting from traumatic brain or sports injuries in civilian nationals of the ME. Methods: We carried out PubMed literature search of all related articles in the past thirty years using search terms reflecting concussion and sports injuries in ME countries of Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Results: 72 articles met our search criteria with relatively little data found on concussion within the parameters of this review. However, the reports that were found were diverse. Israel, Turkey and Iran led in publications. Motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of concussion from TBI (50-57%) followed by domestic injuries (30-40%) and sports injuries at 4-7%. Extremity injuries were most commonly reported unlike head injuries often invisible and underreported. Male gender, young children, pedestrian and car traffic accidents, lack of protective gear, cell phone use, impulsive behaviors as well as training overload, lack of sleep, contact sports and violence were all risk factors for concussion. Conclusions: In this review, we highlighted the nascent topic of concussion in the ME and the need for additional research dictating awareness programs and implementing new safety policies to lower morbidity and mortality across all ages.

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Trends in the leading causes of childhood mortality from 2004 to 2016 in Qatar

Central Asian Journal of Global Health ◽

10.5195/cajgh.2018.334 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohammed Al-Thani ◽

Al-Anoud Al-Thani ◽

Amine Toumi ◽

ShamsEldin Khalifa ◽

Muhammad Asif Ijaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Congenital Malformations ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Circulatory System ◽

Motor Vehicle Accidents ◽

Childhood Mortality ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Trend Test ◽

Vehicle Accidents

Introduction: Childhood mortality is an important health indicator that reflects the overall health status of a population. Despite the decrease in global childhood mortality rates over the past decades, it still remains an important public health issue in Qatar.Methods: The data from 2004-2016 were extracted from the Qatar Ministry of Public Health Birth and Death Database. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) was used for coding the causes of death. The childhood mortality rate was defined as the probability of a child dying between the first and the fifth birthday, expressed as the number of deaths per 1,000 children surviving to 12 months of age. The sex ratio was calculated by dividing the mortality rate of males by that of females. Mann-Kendall trend test was performed to examine time trends. Relative risks were calculated to examine differences by nationality (Qatari and non-Qatari) and sex.Results: A significant decrease in mortality rate of children aged one to five was observed from 1.76 to 1.05 per 1000 children between 2004 and 2016 (Kendall tau=-0.6, p=0.004). Three prominent causes of mortality were motor vehicle accidents, congenital malformations of the circulatory system, and accidental drowning/submersion. A statistically non-significant decrease in childhood mortality from motor vehicle accidents was oberved for all nationalities (total (Kendall tau=-0.03), Qatari (Kendall tau=-0.14), and non-Qatari (Kendall tau=-0.12)). A significant decrease was seen for total accidental drowning and submersion (Kendall tau=-0.54, p=0.012), while no statistically significant decrease was seen for total congenital malformations of the circulatory system (Kendall tau=-0.36, NS). The Qatari population did have a significant decrease in childhood mortality due to congenital malformations of the circulatory system (Kendall tau=-0.67, p=0.003) and accidental drowning and submersion (Kendall tau=-0.55, p=0.016).Conclusion: The study is a first attempt to evaluate childhood mortality statistics from Qatar and could be useful in supporting Qatar’s ongoing national health strategy programs.

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A Reassessment of Suicide Measurement

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910.30.1.6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 6-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

D.P. Doessel ◽

Ruth F.G. Williams ◽

Harvey Whiteford

Keyword(s):

Causes Of Death ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Years Of Life Lost ◽

Health Prevention ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

The Social ◽

Evaluation Exercise ◽

Two Measures ◽

Circulatory Diseases

Background. Concern with suicide measurement is a positive, albeit relatively recent, development. A concern with the social loss from suicide requires careful attention to appropriately measuring the phenomenon. This paper applies two different methods of measuring suicide data: the conventional age-standardized suicide (count) rate; and the alternative rate, the potential years of life lost (PYLL) rate. Aims. The purpose of applying these two measures is to place suicide in Queensland in a historical and comparative (relative to other causes of death) perspective. Methods. Both measures are applied to suicide data for Queensland since 1920. These measures are applied also to two largish causes of death and two smaller causes of death, i.e., circulatory diseases, cancers, motor vehicle accidents, suicide. Results. The two measures generate quite different pictures of suicide in Queensland: Using the PYLL measure, suicide is a quantitatively larger issue than is indicated by the count measure. Conclusions. The PYLL measure is the more appropriate measure for evaluation exercise of public health prevention strategies. This is because the PYLL measure is weighted by years of life lost and, thus, it incorporates more information than the count measure which implicitly weights each death with a somewhat partial value, viz. unity.

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