TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - The perceived effects of cocaine on the driving performance of long-term users
JO  - Drugs: education, prevention, and policy
A1  - Zdun, S.
SP  - 420
EP  - 425
VL  - 21
IS  - 5
N2  - While there is a relatively large body of research on the effects of alcohol and cannabis on driving, the impact of cocaine on driving performance and behaviour has been neglected. This exploratory empirical study addresses this shortcoming by examining middle-aged, socially established long-term cocaine users who habitually drive or used to drive under the influence of this drug. Thirty interviews were conducted with cocaine users from six German cities of different sizes. One common theme to emerge from the interviews was that cocaine is perceived a performance enhancement for driving, although a negative impact on concentration was also noted. Interviewees ignored and rejected the real dangers to self and others, and were instead afraid of losing their driver's licence. Moreover, driving immediately after consumption or drug use while driving were perceived as unproblematic unless police controls were expected. Finally, expanded driving under the influence of drugs controls over the past decade have motivated changes in drug driving behaviour, although not leading to complete cessation of either drug use or drug driving. The immense concern about loss of driver's licence among socially established long-term users suggests that it might be worthwhile continuing current law enforcement efforts. © 2014 Informa UK Ltd.     Keywords: Cannabis impaired driving; DUID; Ethanol impaired driving  <p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0968-7637
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09687637.2014.903897
ID  - ref1
ER  -