Drug Driving Behaviour Change

The challenge

There is clear evidence that drugs impair driving ability, but drug driving is still a growing problem in the UK and is putting road users at risk. According to the Department for Transport, around 6.2% of fatal road collision are caused by a driver who is under the influence of drugs.

Knowing how to change drug driving behaviour is a challenge. This is because the types of drugs people use, and the reasons people drive after taking them are varied. Some people feel like they are safe to drive and will not crash or get caught by the police. Some people believe it is OK because they have friends and family who also drug drive and some people may not be aware of the risks or consequences.

This means that efforts to to change drug driving behaviour need to be modelled on evidence and tailored to different types of drug drivers by targeting the motivations behind their choices.

This research aims to find out how different groups of drug drivers respond to different behaviour change techniques that make up a drug driving behaviour change intervention. By focusing on what works, we can help make our roads safer for everyone.

Our approach

Leeds Beckett University is working with people who drug drive or who are at risk of drug driving to understand how to change drug driving behaviour.

Professor Fiona Fylan, a behaviour change expert at Leeds Beckett University, has helped to design a new intervention based around different behaviour change techniques. The programme is similar to the current drink drive rehabilitation scheme.

Participants are being recruited for a randomised control trial to see how effective the drug driving intervention is at changing people’s intentions to drug drive. Participants will complete surveys about their attitudes and behaviours towards drug driving before and after attending the course and this will be analysed to provide statistical evidence on whether the intervention works or not.

Interviews will be carried out to find out which behavior change techniques work best for different types of drug drivers. By understanding what strategies resonate with them, we can identify effective methods that could be developed into resources for the future. The goal is to create practical tools that help prevent drug driving and keep our roads safer.

Our impact

This research will provide valuable insights into what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to changing drug driving behaviour. As a result of the research a logic model will be produced to help guide those developing interventions. It will suggest what elements should be included and how to effectively deliver them.

The project will outline different sub-groups of drug drivers and which elements of the intervention work for the different groups. This will help policymakers, police, health and social care professionals, and drug support services recognise the risk factors associated with drug driving and provide the right support to those who need it.