BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the use of drugs increases the risk of road traffic accidents. Law enforcement policies and roadside drug tests are considered to be important for deterring driving under the influence of substances (DUI). The aim of this study was to compare use of alcohol and drugs among Spanish drivers between 2008 and 2013.
METHODS: The study aimed to compare the prevalence of positive drug and alcohol cases in two representative samples of Spanish drivers (n=2932 drivers in 2013 and n=3302 in 2008-9).
RESULTS: Between 2008-9 and 2013 a decrease in the prevalence of alcohol positive (from 4.92% [4.18-5.66] to 3.41% [2.27-4.07], p<0.05) and drug positive cases (from 6.93% [6.07-7.80] to 4.87% [4.09-5.65], p<0.01) was observed. Decreased prevalence of drugs was due to a marked drop in the prevalence of THC in tested drivers, although there were no differences observed in the other categories of illegal substances tested.
CONCLUSION: The study shows a decrease in the prevalence of drivers who tested positive for alcohol and/or drugs on the road. Although these results are favourable, drug-driving remains high and requires continued intervention. The study design does not allow us to determine the factors behind the decrease in the prevalence of drug driving but the routine implementation of roadside drug tests may have been a contributing factor.