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Abstract
Aims: There is a limited literature and policy response to the issue of driving under the influence of cannabis. This article focuses on attitudes, beliefs and driving strategies among cannabis users to improve our understanding of the motivations for this behaviour and potential ameliorative strategies.
Methods: Participants were 320 recent cannabis users in New South Wales, Australia. A structured interview assessed self-reported driving behaviour, attitudes, risk perceptions and harm reduction strategies associated with driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC), cannabis and any alcohol (DUICA) and cannabis and other drugs (DUICO).
Findings: Last year DUIC was reported by 78% of participants, with 27% doing so at least weekly. Approximately one-third reported DUICA (29%) and DUICO (30%), typically less than weekly. While participants strongly believed that driving under the influence of alcohol and DUICA increased accident risk (>97%), fewer believed their own (53%) or others’ (68%) risk was increased by DUIC. The most common strategies for reducing DUIC-related risk involved compensating for perceived impairments, whereas strategies involving forward planning were more frequently implemented for DUICA. Cannabis dependence was related to greater DUIC frequency, permissive attitudes towards DUIC and a tendency not to implement driving risk reduction strategies.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that attempts to address DUIC face significant challenges, particularly using non-deterrence-based strategies.