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Trends in alcohol, MDMA, methylamphetamine and THC in injured and deceased motor vehicle drivers and motorcyclists over a decade (2010–2019) in Victoria, Australia
  1. Jennifer Schumann1,2,
  2. Matthew Di Rago1,2,
  3. Noel Woodford1,2,
  4. Linda Glowacki1,
  5. John Fitzpatrick3,
  6. Michael Kelly3,
  7. Ben Beck4,5,
  8. Olaf H Drummer1,6,
  9. Dimitri Gerostamoulos1,
  10. Joanna F Dipnall7,8
  1. 1Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. 3Victoria Police, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. 4Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
  5. 5Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
  6. 6Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  7. 7School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  8. 8School of Medicine, Deakin University Faculty of Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jennifer Schumann; jennifer.schumann{at}monash.edu

Abstract

Background Driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs contributes significantly to road traffic crashes worldwide. This study explored trends of alcohol, methylamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in road crashes from 2010 to 2019 in Victoria, Australia.

Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and Victoria Police, examining proscribed drug detections in road crashes. Time series graphs per substance explored indicative trends and comparisons between road users. Negative binomial regression models, with robust SEs and adjusted for exposure (kilometres travelled, Victorian licence holders), modelled the incidence rate ratio, with a Bonferroni-adjusted α=0.007 for multiple comparisons.

Results There were 19 843 injured drivers and 1596 fatally injured drivers. MA had the highest prevalence (12.3% of fatalities and 9.1% of injured drivers), demonstrating an increase over time. Overall, 16.8% of car drivers and motorcyclists tested positive for one or more drugs, with 14% of crashes involving a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)≥0.05%. MA and THC were the most common drugs in fatalities. Between 2015 and 2019, MA was detected in 27.9% of motorcyclist fatalities, followed by THC (18.3%) and alcohol ≥0.05% (14.2%), with similar but lower frequencies among injured motorcyclists. Alcohol detections (≥0.05% BAC) in fatalities declined, but increased in injured motorcyclists and car drivers until plateauing in 2017. THC detections rose among injured drivers until 2018, detected in 8.1% and 15.2% of injured and fatal drivers, respectively. MDMA-positive driving decreased among injured drivers and remained stable at ~1% of fatalities.

Conclusions Despite enhanced road safety measures in Victoria, drug-driving persists, indicating a need for revised prevention strategies targeting this growing issue.

  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Driver

Data availability statement

Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available.

https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2024-045342

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    Data availability statement

    Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available.

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    Footnotes

    • X @DrBenBeck

    • Contributors Project was conceived by JS, JFD and DG. Data access was facilitated by JF and MK. Data was collected by JS, MDR, LG, JF and MK. Data analysis was conducted by JFD in consultation with JS and with assistance from BB. First draft of manuscript was written by JS, JFD and MDR. Manuscript was edited and approved by all authors. JS is the guarantor.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Disclaimer The authors accept that the editor reserves the right to publish the manuscript in a category different from that specified by the authors upon submission of the original manuscript. This material has not been published before, it contains no sensitive identifiable information and all persons who have contributed to the material have been named accordingly.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.