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The incidence and characteristics of illicit drug related driver fatalities in Western Australia

Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre. The incidence and characteristics of illicit drug related driver fatalities in Western Australia. Peter Palamara, Research Fellow C-MARC. FULL REPORT.

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The incidence and characteristics of illicit drug related driver fatalities in Western Australia

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  1. Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre The incidence and characteristics of illicit drugrelated driver fatalities in Western Australia Peter Palamara, Research Fellow C-MARC

  2. FULL REPORT Palamara, P.; Broughton, M. & Chambers, F. (2014). Illicit drugs and driving: An investigation of fatalities and traffic offences in Western Australia. Perth: Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre. RR 13-001 c-marc.curtin.edu.au/completed/index.cfm Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Michelle Broughton and Fiona Chambers • Robert Hansson, ChemCentre WA • Stephen Temby and Todd Sideris, WA Police • WA Road Safety Commission • Project Advisory Group members Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  4. BACKGROUND • Drug driving, illicit or otherwise, is identified as a significant potential cause of driver impairment, risky behaviour and crash risk • The strength of association between the presence of a substance and crash involvement varies across studies • Estimate of the prevalence/incidence of illicit drug driving varies by method • Self-report 4.2% - 18% • Roadside oral fluid testing 3.5% QLD; 4% WA • Fatal crashes 23.5% (three-state 10 year study) • Combination of alcohol and illicit drugs are riskiest Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  5. OBJECTIVES • To document the incidence, trend, and characteristics of illicit drug related motor vehicle driver and motorcycle rider fatalities • To statistically model the driver/rider and crash risk factors for an illicit drug related fatality Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  6. Methods Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  7. METHODS • WA Police records of drivers and motorcycle riders fatally injured 2000-2012 • Crashes on gazetted, public roads; excluding those deemed to be due to suicide or health-related conditions • Linked with ChemCentre WA toxicology records • Samples drawn from blood or other bodily fluids • Assays determine the presence of both illicit and licit substances • All detected substances categorised into broad drug groups Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  8. Results Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  9. Descriptives for linked fatality records • N=1,375 records, representing 90% of all WA driver/rider fatalities for the period • 78% male; 61.5% < 40 years of age; 23% motorcycle riders; 16.2% unlicensed; 45.5% metro area crash • 23% (n=312) positive for one or more illicit drugs • 34% BAC ≥ 0.05gm% • 24% positive for one or more non-illicit drugs Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  10. Annual incidence rate of illicit drug driver fatalities per 100,000 motor vehicle driver licenses issued; Western Australia 2000-2012 Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  11. Detected illicit substances Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  12. Risk factors for an illicit substance driver fatality Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  13. Discussion Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  14. DISCUSSION • Alcohol remains the most common, substance related cause of potential driver impairment: 34% versus 23% illicit drugs • Some evidence to suggest that the introduction of ROFT (October 2007) is associated with a decline in the annual rate of illicit drug driver fatalities • Cannabis confirmed as the most commonly detected illicit substance –either alone or in combination. But how impairing is it? • Identified risk factors for an illicit drug driver fatality consistent with those found for other on-road risk behaviours Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  15. LIMITATIONS • Not all fatalities investigated; not all fatalities ‘drug’ tested • Reported level of some drugs - illicit and licit - may not represent level at the time of crash • Association does not mean (crash) causation • WA population prevalence of illicit drug driving still to be determined Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

  16. RECOMMENDATIONS • In-depth linked data research to better identify and manage drivers ‘at risk’ of drug driving • Need to extend toxicology testing to drivers involved in hospitalisation crashes • Continue the development of a strategic roadside oral fluid testing program (e.g., quantity; location) to deter illicit drug driving Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre

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