Formative Research and Resources to Prevent Cannabis Impaired Driving Among Teens and Young Adults

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal in the United States and remains a significant public health problem, particularly for young drivers. Young cannabis users may perceive cannabis as a safe alternative to drinking and driving. Among high school students, cannabis impaired driving may be more prevalent than alcohol impaired driving (CDC, 2018). Almost half of teen drivers who use marijuana reported driving after using marijuana (Li et al., 2020). Despite the magnitude of this problem, there are still many gaps in our understanding of young adults’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs; the contexts in which they make the decision to drive while impaired, and what interventions are promising for promoting safer driving behaviors. Research suggests that interventions focused on parental monitoring, knowledge, and support are protective against risky behaviors, including driving or riding under the influence (Kaigang, 2014; Botzet, 2018). Formative research that addresses adolescent and young adult social norms, attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions are, therefore, needed to help prevent cannabis impaired driving. Similarly, examining the body of work describing interventions that involve parents or other caregivers and the efficacy of them is also critical. The objectives of this research are to (1) design and implement formative research to identify teen social norms, attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions related to cannabis and driving, and evidence-based approaches and models to support parents and caregivers of teens; and (2) develop educational resources that support parents and caregivers in talking with teens about cannabis impaired driving. The project will develop educational resources to support parents and caregivers in talking with teens about cannabis impaired driving and impaired driving laws. Additionally, the educational products will serve as a resource for State Highway Safety Offices and/or other organizations working with teens, parents, and caregivers to prevent cannabis impaired driving.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5570
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $500000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project BTS-32

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Governors Highway Safety Association

  444 N. Capitol Street, NW, Suite 722
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, D.C.  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Retting, Richard

• Start Date: 20230704
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Drugged drivers; Education; Marijuana; Teenage drivers; Young adults
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01886950
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project BTS-32
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 4 2023 12:54PM