Each year, many people look forward to ringing in the new year with family and friends. Experts encourage partiers to be careful: the number of car crashes involving drugs and alcohol may be higher than you think.
Recent data from an ongoing study at UC Davis Health on local roadway injuries highlights the risk of driving under the influence. The study looked at 490 drivers injured in motor vehicle crashes in the past year. Among those drivers:
- 40% had a potentially impairing substance detected
- Ethanol, an ingredient in alcoholic drinks, was found in 10% of injured drivers
- Cannabis was detected in 9% of injured drivers
"As people prepare to celebrate the new year, they should plan out their transportation ahead of time by either designating a sober driver, making arrangements to sleep in the area they are celebrating, or using rideshare and taxi services."-James Chenoweth
"As people prepare to celebrate the new year, they should plan out their transportation ahead of time by either designating a sober driver, making arrangements to sleep in the area they are celebrating, or using rideshare and taxi services," said James Chenoweth, a co-investigator for the study. Chenoweth is the director of toxicology research and associate professor of Emergency Medicine.
In addition to recreational drugs and alcohol, sedating medications were found in 18% of injured drivers. Many medications taken for cold and flu can make you drowsy and increase your risk of getting into a car crash.
"These results show a high prevalence of drugs or alcohol in crashes where a driver is injured or killed," explained Chenoweth. "To avoid preventable tragedies, we urge everyone to plan ahead, especially when celebrating the holidays."
The study is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Researchers at UC Davis Medical Center are examining blood results from a large number of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians involved in serious and fatal crashes. The samples are evaluated for alcohol and drugs, including legal, prescription and illegal drugs.
Data collected from the study will aid the Office of Traffic Safety in trying to reduce roadway injuries and deaths in California.
