Abstract
Cannabis is the second most commonly used substance among Canadians for those 18 to 24 years old with the most prominent associated risk of driving under the influence. Cannabis consumption impairs executive functions necessary for driving and increases the likelihood of fatal motor vehicle crashes. The purpose of this study was to explore participant perceptions about the dangerousness and social acceptability of driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) compared to alcohol or while tired. Utilizing an experimental vignette design, participants (N = 453) were randomly assigned to one of six vignettes that varied on the substance used by a 22-year-old (cannabis, alcohol, no substance) and driver sex (male, female). Participants responded to a series of questions about the dangerousness and social acceptability of the driving behaviors described. A series of ANOVAs revealed a significant main effect of substance use across all items and a main effect of sex on social acceptability. DUIC was perceived as less dangerous and more socially acceptable than driving under the influence of alcohol. Furthermore, impaired driving was viewed as more acceptable for females than males. Findings help provide further insights into public perceptions of DUIC and highlight the importance of public education on the risks of DUIC.
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Data Availability
Data and materials for this study have not been made publicly available. The design and analysis plans were not pre-registered.
Code Availability
No custom code was utilized. All statistical analyses were undertaken using IBM SPSS Statistics Software (version 25).
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Megan A. Pollard contributed to conception, design, acquisition, analysis, data interpretation, drafted the manuscript, critically revised the manuscript, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work ensuring integrity and accuracy. Dalainey H. Drakes made significant contributions to drafting the manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work ensuring integrity and accuracy. Nick Harris contributed to conception, design, acquisition, data analysis, and interpretation, critically revised the manuscript, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of work ensuring integrity and accuracy.
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Megan Pollard submitted an earlier version of this manuscript in partial fulfillment of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland; however, this is an original manuscript that has not been submitted elsewhere or previously published.
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Appendices
Appendix 1 Examples of Experimental Vignettes
Participants will be presented with one of the following vignettes (or similar based on randomly assigned condition) followed by questions related to the activity in the vignette:
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1.
A description of a Caucasian male follows: Barry is a 22-year-old male attending a birthday party for his friend. He and his friends regularly get together on the weekends and use cannabis (also known as weed, marijuana, etc.). Barry can’t stay out late that night, but he does use some cannabis before he has to leave. He starts to feel the effects of the cannabis and stops. Shortly after he leaves to drive himself home.
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2.
A description of a Caucasian female follows: Betty is a 22-year-old female attending a birthday party for her friend. She and her friends regularly get together on the weekends and drink alcohol. Betty can’t stay out late that night, but she drinks some alcohol before she leaves. She starts to feel the effects of the alcohol and stops. Shortly after she leaves to drive herself home.
Appendix 2 Summary of Preliminary Analyses Examining Group Differences
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Pollard, M.A., Drakes, D.H. & Harris, N. Perceptions of the Risk and Social Acceptability of Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis. Int J Ment Health Addiction 22, 376–393 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-022-00879-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-022-00879-x