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A recent study by Monash University has found that methylamphetamine is the most common illicit drug detected in drivers and motorcyclists who were injured or fatally injured in road crashes in Victoria over a decade (2010-2019). The study, published in the journal Injury Prevention, examined substances present in nearly 22,000 drivers involved in road crashes.
The key findings of the study are:
- Methylamphetamine was the most prevalent illicit drug found, present in 12.3% of fatalities and 9.1% of injured drivers. There was an increase in its detection over the study period.
- Overall, 16.8% of car drivers and motorcyclists tested positive for one or more drugs.
- 14% of crashes involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% or higher. There was a decline in alcohol detections among fatalities specifically.
- Men and individuals aged between 25 and 59 were more likely to be driving under the influence of drugs.
- Motorcyclists showed an increase in drug use compared to car drivers.
The study’s authors highlight that despite improvements in road safety measures, drug driving remains a significant problem in Victoria. They call for revised prevention strategies to target the growing issue of drug-impaired driving.
Here are some additional details from the study:
- The study is a cross-sectional analysis, meaning it looked at data from a single point in time (in this case, a 10-year period).
- The data was obtained from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and Victoria Police.
- MDMA use remained stable at a low prevalence, while THC detections showed a slight increase.
- Drivers and motorcyclists in Victoria had a higher BAC compared to drivers in other Australian states.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of addressing drug-impaired driving as a public health issue. More targeted prevention strategies are needed to reduce the number of road crashes caused by drugs.
