Interviews with impaired driving offenders revealed that many viewed cannabis-impaired driving as less risky than drunk driving, believed they personally were safer than other stoned drivers, and valued the opinions of fellow cannabis users over non-users.
Road safety advocates, public health communicators, and cannabis users who drive.
Drivers believed they were safer stoned than others
What the researchers found
Many participants viewed driving under the influence of cannabis as less risky than driving under alcohol or other drugs. Comparative optimism bias was evident: participants perceived themselves as less likely than others to crash while stoned. Friends were seen as more accepting of cannabis-impaired driving than family. Opinions of fellow cannabis users were considered more credible than those of non-users (normative influence).
Why it matters
Understanding the psychological mechanisms behind cannabis-impaired driving decisions can improve the effectiveness of public health campaigns and road safety messaging.
The numbers in context
20 participants interviewed from an impaired driving remedial program.
How the study worked
Semi-structured interviews with 20 participants in a remedial program for impaired drivers. Thematic analysis with two independent coders, applying social cognition concepts.
What this study cannot tell us
Small qualitative sample (20). Participants were already caught for impaired driving, so may not represent typical cannabis-impaired drivers. Self-report subject to social desirability bias.
How to read the evidence
Small qualitative study of a specific population (caught offenders), providing depth but limited generalizability.
When this study was published
2019 qualitative study.
The bigger picture
The finding that people trust the opinions of fellow cannabis users over non-users suggests that peer-based interventions might be more effective than traditional authority-based messaging.
Questions still open
- Would public health campaigns that leverage peer influence be more effective than fear-based messaging? Does comparative optimism bias increase with driving experience while high?
Common questions
Do people think driving high is safe?
What influences decisions to drive after using cannabis?
Read the original research
Exploring perceptions among people who drive after cannabis use: Collision risk, comparative optimism and normative influence.
Drug and alcohol review, 38(4), 443-451
Citation
Wickens, Christine M; Watson, Tara Marie; Mann, Robert E; Brands, Bruna. (2019). Exploring perceptions among people who drive after cannabis use: Collision risk, comparative optimism and normative influence.. Drug and alcohol review, 38(4), 443-451. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12923