Mobile phone intervention reduced driving after cannabis use among college students | Research

The takeaway

A pilot trial of 97 college cannabis users found that personalized feedback plus interactive text messaging significantly reduced both driving after cannabis use and riding with impaired drivers over 3 months.

College health professionals, cannabis impaired driving prevention researchers, and young adults who drive after using cannabis.

Significant reduction in both driving after use and riding with impaired drivers

What the researchers found

College cannabis users in the personalized feedback plus MI-style interactive text messaging condition significantly reduced driving after cannabis use (DACU) and riding with a cannabis-impaired driver (RWCD) over 3 months compared to information control.

Why it matters

Cannabis-impaired driving is a growing public health concern with no established brief intervention. This accessible, low-cost mobile intervention showed promise in reducing two of the riskiest cannabis-related behaviors.

The numbers in context

97 participants. 67.4% women, mean age 21.34, 80.4% Caucasian. All endorsed DACU at least 3 times in past 3 months. PF+MIT condition significantly reduced both DACU and RWCD vs control at 3 months.

How the study worked

Randomized three-group pilot trial of 97 college cannabis users (67.4% women, mean age 21.34) who endorsed driving after cannabis use at least 3 times in the past 3 months. Three conditions: personalized feedback plus MI text messaging, personalized feedback only, and information control. Outcome measures at 3 months.

What this study cannot tell us

Pilot study with only 97 participants. Only 3-month follow-up. Predominantly White, female college sample limits generalizability. Self-reported driving outcomes.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: pilot RCT with small sample, short follow-up, and limited population diversity.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

As cannabis legalization expands, tools to reduce impaired driving become critical. A mobile-phone-based intervention could be scalable and particularly appropriate for young adults who are already heavy smartphone users.

Questions still open

Would the reductions persist beyond 3 months? Could this intervention be integrated into college health services or cannabis dispensaries? Would it work in non-college populations?

Common questions

What was the intervention?

Participants received personalized feedback about their cannabis-impaired driving risk plus motivational interviewing-style interactive text messages over the study period. This was compared to personalized feedback alone and a simple information control.

Why is cannabis-impaired driving a concern?

Cannabis impairs driving performance, particularly lateral control (lane weaving), and increases crash risk. Many users do not perceive DACU as dangerous.

Could this be widely implemented?

The mobile phone format makes it accessible and low-cost. If larger trials confirm efficacy, it could be deployed through college health centers, apps, or cannabis dispensaries.

Read the original research

A randomized pilot trial of a mobile phone-based brief intervention with personalized feedback and interactive text messaging to reduce driving after cannabis use and riding with a cannabis impaired driver.

Journal of substance abuse treatment, 142, 108867

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Teeters, Jenni B; Armstrong, Nicole M; King, Shelby A; Hubbard, Sterling M. (2022). A randomized pilot trial of a mobile phone-based brief intervention with personalized feedback and interactive text messaging to reduce driving after cannabis use and riding with a cannabis impaired driver.. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 142, 108867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108867