Off-road vehicles, including snowmobiles and ATVs, are essential for some jobs but also provide thrilling adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. These rugged machines are built to tackle rough terrain, such as non-public roads and trails. However, because these vehicles are often used for fun, more regulations are needed, especially around intoxicated driving.
Substance use can severely impair psychomotor skills, exponentially increasing the risk of vehicle crashes. Notably, one-third of fatal crashes in Canada involve alcohol-impaired driving. When it comes to off-road vehicles, hundreds of related deaths are recorded each year in Canada, with half involving drugs or alcohol. Still, more data is needed to inform and guide meaningful policies and programs around substance use and operating an off-road vehicle.
Therefore, a new study led by PhD Candidate Nelofar Kureshi from the Department of Surgery at Dalhousie University filled this gap by determining the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among injured off-road vehicle drivers. Utilizing National Drug Driving Study data, her team examined drivers treated in a Halifax, Nova Scotia emergency department between 2019 and 2021.
The focus was on those with moderate to severe injuries who tested positive for substances such as alcohol, cannabis, recreational stimulants, benzodiazepines, and impairing prescription drugs. This research study can be found in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine.
The study involved 33 off-road vehicle drivers, nearly 80% of whom were male. Alcohol emerged as the most common substance used, with 58% of drivers testing positive — and a concerning 74% of participants had blood alcohol levels considered a criminal offence in Canada.
The study also found opiates in 21% of drivers, benzodiazepines in 18%, and other prescription medications in 18%. One or more substances was found in 85% of drivers, and 39% had two or more substances in their system. Despite the widespread use of THC recreationally, only 12% of drivers had detectable levels of this substance.
Kureshi and colleagues are the first to explore alcohol and drug use in off-road vehicle crashes in Nova Scotia, and possibly all of Canada. The research sheds light on the pervasive issue of polysubstance use among off-road vehicle drivers, taking a crucial step toward understanding the various impairing combinations these drivers may use.
Although the study needs to be replicated with a more diverse sample, including drivers from across Canada and those who have experienced mild injuries, it underscores the critical need for policies on operating off-road vehicles and substance use. Additionally, it shows how important it is to educate people about the dangers of driving under the influence, even if it’s just for fun on their own property with an off-road vehicle.
