Male cannabis users most likely to underestimate driving-under-the-influence risks
In a survey of 1,813 Ontario adults, about 90% agreed that cannabis-impaired driving increases crash risk, but only 55% of those who had driven high in the past year agreed, with males and frequent users most likely to dismiss the risk.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
About 90% of adults agreed DUIC increases collision risk, dropping to 55% among past-year DUIC drivers. Being male, less educated, and using cannabis monthly or more were associated with disagreeing that DUIC increases crash risk. Safety perceptions but not legal risk perceptions were associated with actual DUIC behavior among cannabis-using drivers.
Key Numbers
1,813 adults; ~90% overall agreed DUIC increases crash risk; 55% of past-year DUIC drivers agreed; males, less educated, monthly+ users most likely to dismiss risk
How They Did This
Cross-sectional telephone survey of 1,813 adults aged 18+ in Ontario, Canada (2017 CAMH Monitor). Multivariable logistic regression assessed factors associated with DUIC risk perceptions and the relationship between perceptions and DUIC behavior.
Why This Research Matters
Risk perception drives behavior. The finding that safety concerns, not fear of getting caught, predicted whether cannabis users drove high suggests prevention campaigns should focus on crash risk messaging rather than legal consequences.
The Bigger Picture
The gap between general population risk perception (90% concerned) and active DUIC driver perception (55% concerned) parallels patterns seen with alcohol-impaired driving and suggests targeted messaging for the highest-risk groups is needed.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design. Self-reported DUIC behavior subject to social desirability bias. Ontario-specific data may not generalize. Pre-legalization data collection (2017).
Questions This Raises
- ?Have risk perceptions changed since recreational legalization in 2018?
- ?Would targeted safety messaging reduce DUIC among male frequent users?
- ?How does cannabis-impaired driving compare to alcohol-impaired driving in this population?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Only 55% of past-year cannabis-impaired drivers acknowledged crash risk
- Evidence Grade:
- Solid population-based telephone survey with multivariable analysis, though cross-sectional and pre-legalization timing limit conclusions.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 using 2017 data.
- Original Title:
- Driving under the influence of cannabis risk perceptions and behaviour: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada.
- Published In:
- Preventive medicine, 153, 106793 (2021)
- Authors:
- McDonald, André J(8), Hamilton, Hayley A(3), Wickens, Christine M(9), Watson, Tara Marie, Elton-Marshall, Tara, Wardell, Jeffrey D, Rueda, Sergio, Roerecke, Michael, Stoduto, Gina, Mann, Robert E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03334
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do people think driving high is safer than driving drunk?
Some do. Being male, young, and using cannabis monthly or more were associated with agreeing that DUIC is safer than driving under the influence of alcohol.
Does fear of getting caught prevent cannabis-impaired driving?
Not in this study. Legal risk perceptions were not associated with actual DUIC behavior. Safety perceptions, specifically believing DUIC increases crash risk, were the stronger predictor of whether someone drove high.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03334APA
McDonald, André J; Hamilton, Hayley A; Wickens, Christine M; Watson, Tara Marie; Elton-Marshall, Tara; Wardell, Jeffrey D; Rueda, Sergio; Roerecke, Michael; Stoduto, Gina; Mann, Robert E. (2021). Driving under the influence of cannabis risk perceptions and behaviour: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada.. Preventive medicine, 153, 106793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106793
MLA
McDonald, André J, et al. "Driving under the influence of cannabis risk perceptions and behaviour: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada.." Preventive medicine, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106793
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Driving under the influence of cannabis risk perceptions and..." RTHC-03334. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mcdonald-2021-driving-under-the-influence
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.