Citation

Stevenson MR, Palamara P, Rooke M, Richardson K, Baker M, Jay Baumwol J. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2001; 5.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Since the introduction of random breath testing (RBT) in Australia there has been a significant reduction in drink driving, as measured by alcohol-related crashes. In contrast, the prevalence of drug-related road fatalities is on the increase. One strategy that targets drink and or drug driving is the promotion of a designated driver or 'skipper'. This paper from the Injury Research Centre (IRC) at the University of Western Australia determines to what extent the 'skipper' is driving alcohol or drug free. A convenience sample of university students from the University of Western Australia completed a confidential questionnaire that included questions on drug and alcohol use while driving as the designated 'skipper'. Among the students who reported regularly drinking alcohol, 26 percent of drivers drove, as the designated 'skipper,' while feeling the effects of alcohol. Similarly, 17 percent of students who reported using drugs drove, as the 'skipper', while feeling the effects of the drug. Multivariate analysis identified that the presence of random drug testing would act as a deterrent for drug driving whilst the designated 'skipper'.