Contemporary drug use and driving patterns: A qualitative approach to understanding drug-driving perceptions from the context of user patterns

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the typologies of drug users and examine how they differed in drug-driving tendencies. A sample of drug users (N = 52) from Queensland, Australia, completed a telephone interview. Thematic analyses identified three unique user types: (a) sporadic recreational users, who used a variety of drugs and drug drove depending on situational variables; (b) frequent recreational users, who favoured cannabis and methamphetamine, and did not typically regulate their driving; and (c) frequent medicinal users, who used cannabis for a medical condition and were more responsible in regulating both their use and driving. While frequent recreational users may drug drive more often, sporadic users (who are proportionally larger in size) may be more at risk due to a low tolerance and an increased likelihood of poly-substance use. The findings of this study may inform the development of tailored police interventions but also inform current policy discussions.