Citation

Reguly P, Dubois S, Bedard M. Forensic Sci. Int. 2014; 234: 154-161.

Affiliation

Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada; Centre for Research on Safe Driving, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada; Research Department, St. Joseph's Care Group, 580 North Algoma Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5G4, Canada; Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Human Sciences Division, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada. Electronic address: mbedard@lakeheadu.ca.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.11.005

PMID

24378316

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, particularly drivers of large trucks continue to be a population of concern regarding traffic safety despite the reduction in large truck crash rates over the past decade. Medication and drug use while driving is one important risk factor for large truck crashes. Work-related exposures, such as vibration, manual handling and poor ergonomics contribute to an increased risk for injuries and chronic conditions and are common reasons for opioid analgesic (OA) use by CMV truck drivers. The objectives of this study were to examine the role of OA use in CMV truck drivers involved in fatal crashes by: (a) generating prevalence estimates of OA use; (b) documenting the relationship between OA use and crash responsibility.

METHODS: Case-control study using logistic regression to compare Fatality Analysis Reporting System (1993-2008) record of one or more crash-related unsafe driver actions (UDAs - a proxy measure of responsibility) between drivers with a positive drug test and drivers with a negative drug test for OA, controlling for age, other drug use, and driving history.

RESULTS: The annual prevalence of OA use among all CMV drivers of large trucks involved in fatal crashes did not exceed 0.46% for any year in the study period and mostly ranged between 0.1 and 0.2%. Male truck drivers using OA had greater odds of committing an UDA (OR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.64; 4.81). Middle-aged users had greater odds than younger or older users.

CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that the presence of OAs is associated with greater odds of committing an UDA. This association may have implications for the commercial transport industry and traffic safety. However, the limited prevalence of OA use is encouraging and further research is needed to address the limitations of the study.

Language: en