Drink and drug driving: what's the skipper up to?

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 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 questionnaire that included questions on drug and alcohol use while driving as the designated 'skipper'. The mean age of the 286 participants was 21 years. Among the students who reported acting as the designated 'skipper' during the past 12 months, 26% of the students drove, as the designated 'skipper,' while feeling the effects of alcohol. Similarly, 18% 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 while the designated 'skipper'. Although three-quarters of designated 'skippers' do not drink and/or drug drive, a sizeable proportion of young drivers continue to place themselves and, more importantly, their passengers and the entire community at an elevated risk of injury. Campaigns that target the responsibility of the 'skipper' and that are included as part of drink-driving campaigns would be beneficial. It is premature to be making recommendations on random drug testing for drivers.