Illicit drugs and driving: an investigation of fatalities and traffic offences in Western Australia

The prevalence and characteristics of illicit drug related driving in Western Australia was investigated through the analysis of the records of drivers and riders fatally injured in the period 2000-2012 and drivers and riders charged with a Section 64AC offence (illicit substance in oral fluid), 2008-2012. Approximately 23% of fatally injured drivers/riders tested positive to one or more illicit substances with the annual rate of detection unchanged for the full study period, with some preliminary evidence of a decline from 2008. The odds of testing positive was significantly higher for males, those aged under 40 years; those driving without a valid licence; those testing positive to alcohol in the range 0.05gm%-0.149gm%, and those using benzodiazepines with and without opioids. Around 4% of drivers and riders undertaking a roadside oral fluid test 2008-2012 were charged with a Section 64AC offence. The annual offence rate significantly increased over the period. Offending was highest in males, younger age drivers/riders, and in the metropolitan area and select metropolitan police districts. A number of recommendations were provided covering issues such as data sharing, changes to the roadside oral fluid testing program, penalties, and research.

• Record URL:
  http://c-marc.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/final-drugs-and-driving-november-2014_upload.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
  Perth, Western Australia   
• Authors:
  • Palamara, P
  • Broughton, M
  • Chambers, F
• Publication Date: 2014-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 81p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: RR 13-001

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Crash analysis; Drivers; Drugged drivers; Drugs; Fatalities; Human characteristics; Law enforcement; Medical examinations and tests; Offenders; Saliva
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (road users)
• Geographic Terms: Australia; Western Australia
• ATRI Terms: Crash analysis; Driver behaviour; Driver characteristics; Drug driving; Fatality; Law enforcement; Offender; Saliva test
• ITRD Terms: 1534: Enforcement (law); 1602: Fatality
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01563046
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: May 15 2015 12:21PM