2007 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers

2007 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers: Drug ResultsWhen examining prevalence by drug category and gender (Table 36), we found that, in thedaytime sample, male drivers were more likely to test positive for “Illegal” drugs (8.2%) thanfemale drivers (3.0%) (p < .01). Conversely, daytime female drivers were more likely to showpositive results for “Medications” (7.6%) than daytime male drivers (2.5%) (p < .01). In thenighttime sample, 12.5 percent of male drivers tested positive for “Illegal” drugs, as opposed to7.5 percent of female drivers (p < .01). The difference in percentage of positive results for“Medications” between male and female drivers was not as striking in the nighttime sample as inthe daytime sample and was not statistically significant.Table 36. Drug Categories Distribution by Time of Day and Gender (Oral Fluid)Time of Day Gender Drug CategoryN(Unweighted)%(Weighted)Illegal 87 8.2%Medications 35 2.5%MaleIllegal & Medications 9 0.3%Negative 901 89.0%DaytimeOverall 1,032 100.0%Illegal 38 3.0%Medications 72 7.6%FemaleIllegal & Medications 5 0.6%Negative 696 88.7%Overall 811 100.0%Illegal 410 12.5%Medications 106 2.8%MaleIllegal & Medications 41 1.1%Negative 3,048 83.5%NighttimeOverall 3,605 100.0%Illegal 164 7.5%Medications 95 3.3%FemaleIllegal & Medications 19 0.5%Negative 1,972 88.7%Overall 2,250 100.0%“Medications” includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs.In this table, percentages are weighted.In comparing drug categories by time of day and age (Table 37), it was clear that, within thedaytime sample, “Illegal” drug use was highest for drivers aged 21-34 (9.9%) followed bydrivers aged 35-44 (6.5%). The prevalence of “Illegal” drugs for these age groups differedsignificantly from that in the remaining age groups (p < .01). In the nighttime sample, drivers inthe 21-34 year age group still maintained the highest percentage (14.2%) of positive results for“Illegal” drugs; however, that group was followed by the youngest age group (16-20 years) for“Illegal” drugs (13.1%) (p < .01). The use of “Medications” was highest among the 45-64 yearage group (8.8%) in the daytime sample (non-significant), and in the 35-44 year old age groupthe nighttime sample (6.9%) (p < .01).51