Longitudinal assessment of drug and alcohol use in drivers and risk of occupational injury

Background
Despite widespread concern over the effects of alcohol and substance abuse on driver performance and highway safety, and extensive regulation of illicit substance use since the 1980’s, there remains a paucity of literature describing the prevalence and extent of drug and alcohol use in motor carriers, including truck and bus drivers.

This will entail more detailed construction of exposure variables (alcohol and drug use), more accurate assessment of time-at-risk as a driver (excluding periods when not driving), and construction and entry of demographic and potential confounding variables.

Study Summary
This study examines the prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse (both illicit drug use and overuse/abuse of prescription pharmaceuticals) of truck and bus drivers in a representative population-based prospective survey. Data on work-related injuries (frequency, nature and type of injury), and compensation claims (time lost and benefits paid) can be then extracted subsequent to establishing exposure status in order to evaluate the incidence of injuries, including motor vehicle accidents, in drivers with histories of alcohol or substance abuse, and compared with accident and injury incidence rates in those without such a history.

Project Summary
This information will be available in the near future