In a survey of over 5,000 university students across 6 countries, most rated impaired driving as dangerous, but perceptions varied significantly by country, with some viewing cannabis-impaired driving as less threatening.
Young drivers, traffic safety advocates, policymakers, and anyone interested in how cannabis legalization affects driving safety perceptions.
What the researchers found
Less than 12% of students across all countries endorsed impaired driving. Significant cross-national differences emerged: England and Spain rated alcohol-impaired driving as less threatening, while Argentina rated cannabis-impaired driving as less threatening. Students with prior DUI experience and men in some countries held more favorable risk perceptions.
Why it matters
As cannabis legalization expands globally, understanding how young drivers perceive cannabis-impaired driving across different legal contexts can inform targeted prevention campaigns and enforcement strategies.
The numbers in context
5,167 students from 6 countries. 70% women. Mean age 20.1 years. Less than 12% endorsed impaired driving in any country. Argentina rated cannabis DUI as less threatening. England and Spain rated alcohol DUI as less threatening. Prior DUI history linked to lower risk perceptions.
How the study worked
Cross-national survey of 5,167 university students across Argentina, Canada, England, Spain, South Africa, and the United States (70% women, mean age 20.1). Online survey assessed past-year impaired driving frequency, passenger experiences, and risk perceptions. Chi-square tests with Bonferroni corrections for pairwise comparisons.
What this study cannot tell us
University students not representative of general driving population. Self-reported DUI may underestimate actual behavior. Cross-sectional design cannot determine if perceptions drive behavior or vice versa. Convenience sampling limits generalizability.
How to read the evidence
Large cross-national sample with consistent methodology, but convenience sampling of university students limits generalizability.
When this study was published
Published in 2026, providing timely cross-national data as more countries consider cannabis legalization.
The bigger picture
Risk perception differences across countries likely reflect local laws, enforcement levels, and cultural norms around substances. Countries with less cannabis enforcement may produce drivers who underestimate the risks, suggesting prevention campaigns need cultural tailoring.
Questions still open
- Does cannabis legalization change how young drivers perceive impairment risk? How does enforcement visibility affect these perceptions? Would targeted campaigns change behavior in low-perception countries?
Common questions
Do young people think driving after cannabis is safe?
Do people who've driven impaired think it's less dangerous?
Read the original research
Risk Perceptions Related to Driving After Use of Alcohol and Cannabis in a Cross-National Sample of University Students in 6 Countries.
Substance use & addiction journal, 47(1), 112-122
Citation
Csölle, Kianna; Amlung, Michael; Bravo, Adrian J; Ortet-Walker, Jordi; Vidal Arenas, Verónica; Michelini, Yanina; Romano, Eduardo. (2026). Risk Perceptions Related to Driving After Use of Alcohol and Cannabis in a Cross-National Sample of University Students in 6 Countries.. Substance use & addiction journal, 47(1), 112-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/29767342251356352