Correlates of drugs use and driving among undergraduate college students

Background/Purpose Drugged driving is a problem among undergraduate students. We examined correlates of drugged driving among undergraduate students. Methods An anonymous, confidential, 24-question survey at a large, New England public university during the 2010-2011 academic year administered to undergraduates in courses that met a graduation requirement. Data include demographics, academics, housing status, lifestyle (Greek, athletics, honors), personal values (academics, parties, athletics, religion), high school/college drug use, and driving following alcohol/drug use, or as passenger with alcohol/drug user. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi Square test compared drug and alcohol use immediately preceding driving a vehicle.

Results 444 of 675 completed surveys (66% participation rate). Representative of the student body with a mean age of 19.3 years (range 17-23), 51% male, 75% white, and 8% Hispanic. 78% lived on campus, 92% with driver's license, and 37% car access. 23% drove after alcohol use and 22% drove after drug use. 41% reported having been a passenger with a driver who had been drinking, and 37% with a driver using drugs. Drugged driving was more likely among males vs. females (30% vs. 14%, p<.05), having access to a car (32% vs. 16%, p<.01), living off-campus (34% vs. 20%, p<.05), reporting that parties are important (33% vs. 14%, p<.01), religion is not important (28% vs. 14%, p<.01), best friends used drugs in high school (42% vs. 12%, p<.01) and college (50% vs. 8%, p<.01).

Conclusion The identification of undergraduate sub-groups at-risk for drugged driving will guide the design and implementation of traffic safety activities.