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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Meta-analysis on the effects of psychoactive substances on driving

The work presented here was part of the EU project DRUID. Since there is so much literature about the effects of psychoactive substances (especially of alcohol) on human performance and driving behaviour, substance-specific meta-analyses were conducted to combine the results of experimental studies. For the analyses, studies on alcohol, medicines (antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotives and sedatives, antidepressants, antihistamines) and illegal drugs (amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis) have been considered. The aim was to establish a quantitative estimation of the effects on driving-related performance. The results of the meta-analysis on alcohol served as reference for the other substances. Hence for the first time alcohol-equivalent concentration levels of impairment could be calculated for the most relevant psychoactive substances in traffic. The paper shows the results of alcohol and exemplarily of Flunitrazepam. The results of other substances can be found in Deliverable 1.1.2b by Berghaus, Sticht & Grellner (2011) on the DRUID website (http://www.druid-project.com). Based on about 20,000 experimental findings, time-/dose-dependent and concentration-dependent profiles were established for 33 psychoactive substances. These profiles give information for example about the intensity or the duration of impairment. Moreover, by the meta-analytic approach, it is possible to compare performance impairment of medicines or illegal drugs with equivalent concentrations of alcohol. However, it was not possible to use the meta-analytical approach for studies with multiple substance administrations or with patients. There were too few studies per agent and per disease and studies were also too heterogeneous with respect to test design (dose, frequency, period of time of administration, etc.) or to intensity of disease, patients, medical therapy, control group, etc. Thus, all data are related to single applications to healthy subjects, comparable to the recreational use of a psychoactive substance. The results must consequently be seen as a depiction of the "worst case", because only the negative effects of a medicine might occur. The results are of particular importance for physicians and patients with respect to medicine administration (dose, time of administration) at the beginning of a therapy in order to avoid unsafe driving. A first impression regarding the danger of a medicine for traffic safety can be given. Though, in reality, the traffic-related danger of a medicament depends, of course, on more influencing variables than only on performance impairment, for example on the prevalence of a medicine in traffic.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Figures; References;
  • Pagination: pp 20-2
  • Monograph Title: Fit to drive. Proceedings of the 6th International Traffic Expert Congress. Barcelona, April 25th - 27th 2012
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01506546
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt)
  • ISBN: 9783781218611
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Feb 5 2014 9:47AM