As cannabis legalization continues to expand, understanding its implications for road safety has become increasingly urgent. A recent meta-analysis published in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour offers new insights into how the public perceives driving after cannabis use (DACU)—and what those perceptions mean for policy and prevention.
📚 Study Overview
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 peer-reviewed studies, encompassing data from over 82,000 respondents across six countries. Their goal: to quantify public attitudes toward DACU and propose a standardized framework for future survey research.
🔍 Key Findings
- Widespread Concern: The majority of respondents expressed negative attitudes toward DACU, with statistically significant consistency across studies.
- Behavioral Link: Individuals with negative perceptions of DACU were less likely to engage in the behavior.
- Persistent Risk Among Users: One-third of frequent cannabis users held permissive views on DACU, often citing cost or convenience, and remained unmoved by safety messaging.
- Legalization Effects: Cannabis legalization was associated with modest increases in crash risk, reinforcing the need for targeted education and enforcement.
Recommendations for Future Research
To improve data quality and comparability, the authors recommend a standardized survey approach that includes:
- Time since cannabis use
- THC potency and method of ingestion
- Subjective intoxication symptoms
- Neutral, precise language (e.g., “collision” vs. “accident”)
- Detailed reporting of respondent demographics and response rates
These tools aim to support evidence-based policymaking and culturally responsive public health strategies.
📌 Why It Matters
This is the first meta-analysis to quantitatively assess public attitudes toward DACU. As cannabis laws evolve, understanding public sentiment is essential for shaping effective outreach, legislation, and enforcement strategies.
📖 Read the study: Exploring Public Perspectives on Driving After Cannabis Use: A Proposal of a Standardized Survey based on Past Records
