BACKGROUND 

The traffic safety community has worked for decades to put a taboo on substance-impaired driving. While there remains a great deal of work to be done, progress has been made in mitigating the substance-impaired driving problem. For example, in recent years there has been evidence of an increase in the number of individuals who drive to the end of a transit or commuter rail line, take transit or commuter rail into the city where they become substance impaired, and then return using transit or commuter rail. However, the last leg of the journey to arrive home often requires driving, thus exposing substance-impaired drivers and other road users to motor vehicle crashes. 

This scenario is especially challenging in suburban and rural areas that have limited alternatives to driving the last leg of the journey. In addition to transit and commuter rail stations, substance-impaired drivers may face similar challenges traveling the last few miles home from park-and-ride lots and airports. While progress has been made in reducing the overall number of impaired miles traveled, addressing safety concerns associated with the last leg of the journey remains a significant highway safety challenge. Research is needed to help state highway safety offices (SHSOs) and other stakeholders develop strategies to address this challenge. 

OBJECTIVE 

The objective of this research is to develop a toolkit of practical strategies to help SHSOs and other stakeholders address challenges associated with substance-impaired drivers traveling the last leg of the journey. 

 STATUS: Research in progress.