Patterns of stimulant drug use on Western Australian heavy transport routes

N.A. Mabbott; L.R. Hartley

doi:10.1016/S1369-8478(99)00012-1

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Patterns of stimulant drug use on Western Australian heavy transport routes

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Patterns of stimulant drug use on Western Australian heavy transport routes

N.A. Mabbott and L.R. Hartley

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.2(2), pp.115-130

1999

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1369-8478(99)00012-1

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Abstract

In July 1997, 236 truck drivers were interviewed at three truck stops in Western Australia. The interviews collected information on driver fatigue and stimulant drug taking as a fatigue countermeasure. Drivers have become more aware of fatigue as a problem within the industry over the past two years, however, 27% of drivers reported using stimulant drugs to combat driver fatigue. Interstate drivers use more prescription and illicit stimulant drugs to keep awake while intrastate drivers use more over the counter stimulants. Over the counter stimulants are not perceived as drugs by intrastate drivers because they are easily and legally obtainable and this is reflected within many of their responses. The most frequent way that drivers obtained stimulant drugs was through a doctor, a chemist or illegal prescription. Anecdotal evidence from the drivers suggests that increasing pressure from the public and the media to eliminate illegally prescribed stimulant use by drivers has made them harder to obtain. Therefore, without fatigue issues within the industry being addressed, an increase in street purchases of illicit stimulants may occur. Prohibition of stimulant drug use without changing industry practices eliminates a fatigue countermeasure and could lead to a serious increase in fatigue-related crashes. The results of this study will help to identify “at risk” groups of drivers who can be targeted for education on fatigue and drug issues.

Details

Title: Patterns of stimulant drug use on Western Australian heavy transport routes
Authors/Creators: N.A. Mabbott (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
L.R. Hartley (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.2(2), pp.115-130
Publisher: Elsevier Limited
Identifiers: 991005541448507891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Psychology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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