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Ontario‘s Roadside Alcohol and Drug Survey 2014 and 2017 : What has changed?

Author(s): Rubin, Beirness

Slidedeck Presentation Only (no paper submitted):

2A_Beirness

Abstract:

Alcohol-and drug-impaired driving collisions carry significant human and direct financial costs to society. Based on Ontario collision data, in 2014, impaired driving, (alcohol and drugs) represented 29 per cent of motor vehicle fatalities on Ontario Roads. Legalization of recreational cannabis use in other jurisdictions (Colorado and Washington) was associated with substantial increases in the number of drivers in fatal collisions testing positive for cannabis. Therefore, conducting a roadside survey prior to legalization of cannabis will allow Ontario to establish pre-legalization trends in alcohol and drug use among drivers. Roadside alcohol and drug surveys provide a wealth of information about the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among the general driving population, the types of drugs used before driving and the characteristics of drivers who consume alcohol or drugs and drive. This information is extremely valuable in the development and implementation of prevention, intervention, and enforcement programs. In addition, roadside surveys can be utilized to help evaluate the impact of countermeasures that aim to deter this high risk driving behaviour. To generate a greater understanding of impaired driving, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) in collaboration with Beirness and Associates and CCMTA conducted two recent roadside surveys; one in 2014 and one in 2017. The purpose of the surveys was to: Provide an objective and valid estimate of the prevalence of alcohol and drugs used by drivers on the road during the day and at night; Identify the types of substances used by drivers; and, Identify the characteristics of drivers who use drugs or alcohol prior to driving. Both the 2014 and 2017 surveys were conducted using the protocol outlined by CCMTA. Drivers were randomly selected from the traffic stream in five municipalities in Ontario and asked to provide a voluntary breath sample to determine alcohol content and a voluntary sample of oral fluid to be tested for the presence of psychoactive drugs. The survey was conducted during select evening hours and days of the week and in 2017 included a daytime component. The results will provide an overview of alcohol and drug use among drivers, identify the drugs most commonly found as well as provide insights into demographic differences. Ontario’s 2014 roadside survey found that 14.5% of sampled drivers tested positive for alcohol, drugs or both. Notably, the rate of driving after drug use was more than double the rate of drinking and driving, which confirms both progress on reducing drinking and driving and the emergence of drug-impaired driving as a significant road safety risk. The results from the 2014 survey will be compared to those of the 2017 survey (not yet available) and highlight how things have changed over time. Roadside surveys provide an objective and reliable estimate of the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among drivers; identify the types of substances commonly used, the characteristics of drivers who engage in this behaviour; and provide the ability to evaluate countermeasure programs and policies on alcohol and drug use among drivers. Roadside surveys provide an objective and reliable estimate of the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among drivers; identify the types of substances commonly used, the characteristics of drivers who engage in this behaviour; and provide the ability to evaluate countermeasure programs and policies on alcohol and drug use among drivers.