Risk Perceptions Related to Driving After Use of Alcohol and Cannabis in a Cross-National Sample of University Students in 6 Countries

Abstract

Background:

Cross-national comparisons of driving under the influence (DUI) of cannabis (DUIC) or DUI of alcohol (DUIA; ie, driving after consuming too much to drive safely) may inform policies and preventative measures, although research is currently limited. This cross-national study sought to compare the frequency of DUI, being a passenger with an impaired driver, and associated risk perceptions.

Methods:

Secondary analyses of students from 6 countries (Argentina, Canada, England, Spain, South Africa, United States). Participants (n = 5167; 70% women; mean age 20.1 [SD = 3.7]) completed an online survey assessing past-year frequency of alcohol or cannabis-impaired driving and being a passenger with an impaired driver. Risk perceptions included the perceived threat to personal safety of impaired driving, and perceived likelihood of negative consequences (eg, being in an accident, stopped by police). Differences across countries were tested using chi-square tests with Bonferroni-corrected adjusted residuals for pairwise comparisons.

Results:

Endorsement of impaired driving was generally low (<12%) across countries. Significant differences were found across countries in perceived threat to the safety of driving after using alcohol or cannabis. Compared to other countries, England and Spain rated DUIA as less of a threat, and Argentina rated DUIC as less of a threat. Perceived likelihood of consequences also differed across countries, potentially due to perceptions of reduced enforcement in some countries (eg, Argentina, South Africa). Finally, participants with a history of impaired driving and men in some countries were more likely to report more favorable risk perceptions (ie, lower threat and lower likelihood of consequences) than drivers who reported never driving impaired.

Conclusions:

These results offer preliminary evidence of cross-national differences in alcohol and cannabis impaired driving and associated risk perceptions, providing a foundation for future studies investigating causal factors such as legalization and enforcement of driving-related laws across countries.