30 July 2010
RSA Broadcasts New Anti Drug Driving TV Campaign
Research commissioned by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) among 17 to 34 year olds into the use of illegal drugs while driving has highlighted alarming behaviour with as many as 1 in 5 people (22%) admitting they were a passenger in a car driven by someone under the influence of drugs. The publication of the research comes as the RSA broadcasts a new anti-drug driving TV and Cinema campaign today, Friday 30th July, 2010.
The ‘Ask Chilli’(PDF) online survey was conducted among 1,000 people aged 17 to 34 years old into the use of recreational drugs while driving and revealed that 1 in 20 (6%) drivers have driven under the influence of recreational drugs in the past.
Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA said: “This research is extremely worrying, particularly when we see the numbers of people who willingly travelled in a car being driven by someone under the influence of drugs. Typically drug-drivers think they are better drivers while under the influence of some drugs. They also think there is a lower risk of collision compared with drink driving, overestimate their ability to compensate for impairment and demonstrate little knowledge of the effects of driving under the influence of drugs.”
Mr. Brett added: “Driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous as driving when under the influence of alcohol. It's also against the law. Drugs can affect your mind and body in a variety of ways that mean you are not able to drive safely. Not only that, the effects can last for hours or even days. You wouldn’t drive or get into a car with some who has been drinking alcohol so why would you drive or be driven by someone who has taken drugs?”
While urging road users to take extra care when using the roads over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, the Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D. said: “Driving under the influence of drugs is an area of increasing concern among international road traffic agencies due to the increased presence of these substances in those involved in road traffic collisions (RTCs). This problem can be tackled by generating a greater understanding in the general population of the impairing effects of drugs on driving. The Road Traffic Bill 2009, which has just been passed into law will also give power to An Garda Síochána to carry out Preliminary Impairment Tests to assist in determining whether a driver is under the influence of an intoxicant, including drugs.”
The survey also found that:
- Almost half (45%) of the total sample have used recreational drugs in the past
- 13% of the total sample have used recreational drugs in the past 2 months
- 79% of respondents viewed driving under the influence of drugs as ‘very unacceptable’ compared to 85% who viewed driving under the influence of alcohol as ‘very unacceptable’
- 50% of those who admitted they have driven under influence of recreational drugs were fined for other traffic offences before.
When asked to indicate the level of risk associated with using specific drugs and driving, the following substances were rated as ‘Extremely Dangerous’:
- Ecstasy – 79%
- Alcohol – 76%
- Cocaine – 73%
- Cannabis/ Marijuana – 46%
The use of ecstasy while driving was viewed as ‘extremely dangerous’ by 8 out of 10 respondents – while 46% view Cannabis / Marijuana as ‘extremely dangerous’. Those who have used recreational drugs before were more likely to perceive driving while under the influence of drugs as less dangerous than those who have never used drugs.
To raise awareness of the serious risk that drug driving poses to road safety, the RSA will broadcast a new public service anti-drug driving TV and Cinema campaign from today, Friday 30th July 2010. The Campaign includes a new 60 second TV advert called ‘Cell’, which has been acquired from Victoria in Australia and adapted for use here in the Republic of Ireland. This advert depicts the tragic consequences of a driver’s decision to take drugs and then drive after leaving a nightclub. A second advert entitled ‘Dead Girl Talking’ has been adapted from the UK and will be aired on TV and in cinemas. This 50 second advert shows a young woman describe how she and her friends were involved in a collision after taking drugs, the consequences of that decision were fatal, something which is revealed in a dramatic twist at the end of the advert.
For more information on the RSA’s drug driving campaign, results of the attitudinal survey and drug driving in general, visit www.rsa.ie.
For further information please contact; RSA Communications Office 096 25008 Or Brian Farrell, Communications Manager, 086-3881009
Editors Note; See below background information of drug driving
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID)
Driving under the influence of drugs - whether prescribed medication or illegal substances - is just as dangerous as driving when under the influence of alcohol. It's also against the law.
Drugs can affect your mind and body in a variety of ways that mean you are not able to drive safely. Not only that, the effects can last for hours or even days. For example, cannabis shows in urine for up to four weeks after it is taken.
How different drugs affect drivers*
- Slower reaction times
- Poor concentration
- Sleepiness/fatigue
- Confused thinking
- Distorted perception
- Over confidence so you take unnecessary risks
- Impaired co-ordination
- Erratic behaviour
- Nausea
- Hallucinations
- Blurred vision/enlarged pupils
- Aggression
- Panic attacks and paranoia
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Cramps
How different drugs affect drivers*
Cannabis
Cannabis interferes with a user’s ability or willingness to pay attention, making it extremely dangerous to drive. The ability to carry out complex tasks, such as driving, is impaired by cannabis use due to increased distractibility and impairment of motor coordination.
Evidence of the negative impact of cannabis on driving ability is available from simulator studies and surveys of US teenagers showing that they were three times more likely to have been involved in a road traffic collision if they were cannabis smokers compared to non-smokers. Effects are felt after eight or nine seconds, reaching a peak after 10 to 15 minutes, but impairment can last for several hours. Cannabis can also be detected in the body for several weeks after it is taken.
Heroin
Heroin provides a feeling of euphoria and relief of all pain, but in doing so it depresses reflexes, and coordination will be poor. Drivers on heroin will not be able to see properly, concentrate or react quickly enough to events on the road.
Cocaine
Cocaine brings exaggerated feelings of confidence, strength and intelligence, and judgement is severely impaired. It is a stimulant, so users are likely to be hyperactive, unable to stand still or judge time and distance accurately.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy combines a hallucinogen with a stimulant, so exaggerates all emotions. Hearing a sound may lead users to believe they can see or smell something that isn’t there. Pupils will appear dilated and users will be dazed and uncoordinated. Balance and judgement of time and distance can also be affected.
(*Source: Thames Valley Police, London, UK)
For further information see www.rsa.ie
Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 1978
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 1978 makes it an offence to drive a car, motor bike, truck, pedal bike or animal drawn vehicle while ‘under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having control of the vehicle’.
Intoxicants include alcohol and drugs and any combination of drugs and alcohol.
The word ‘drugs’ here includes prescribed and over the counter (OTC) medicines.