BACKGROUND

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal in the United States and remains a significant public health problem, particularly for young drivers.

Young cannabis users may perceive cannabis as a safe alternative to drinking and driving. Among high school students, cannabis impaired driving may be more prevalent than alcohol impaired driving. Almost half of teen drivers who use cannabis reported driving after using cannabis (Li L, Hu G, Schwebel DC, Zhu M. Analysis of US Teen Driving After Using Marijuana, 2017. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Dec 1;3(12):e2030473). A random survey of nighttime drivers in British Columbia, Canada found that while 4.6% of all drivers tested positive for cannabis, the rate was highest (6.4%) among drivers aged 16–24 (https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-04/CCSA-Cannabis-Driving-Implications-for-Youth-Summary-2015-en.pdf).

Despite the magnitude of this problem, there are still many gaps in our understanding of young adults’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs; the contexts in which they make the decision to drive while impaired; and what interventions are promising for promoting safer driving behaviors.

Research suggests that interventions focused on parental monitoring, knowledge, and support can help protect against risky behaviors, including driving or riding under the influence. Formative research that addresses adolescent and young adult social norms, attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions are needed to help prevent cannabis impaired driving. Similarly, it is also critical to examine the body of work describing interventions that involve parents of teens/young drivers, state highway safety offices (SHSOs), high schools, universities, employers, and others, along with the efficacy of them.

For the purpose of this project, (1) “cannabis-impaired driving” includes the use of impairing substances in conjunction with cannabis (poly-drug impairment), and (2) “parents of teens/young drivers” includes other caregivers.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this research are to: (1) design and implement formative research to identify (a) social norms, attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions related to cannabis usage and driving for teens and young drivers (beyond teen years); and (b) evidence-based approaches and models to support parents of teens/young drivers, SHSOs, high schools, universities, employers, cannabis dispensaries, and others in talking with teens and young drivers about cannabis impaired driving and impaired driving laws; and (2) develop educational resources, interventions, and messaging that (a) support parents of teens/young drivers, SHSOs, high schools, universities, employers, cannabis dispensaries, and others in talking with teens and young drivers about cannabis impaired driving and impaired driving laws; and (b) provide information directly to teens and young drivers.

STATUS

Research underway.