Profiles of alcohol- and marijuana-impaired adolescent drivers

The aim of the study was to identify risk factors that distinguish alcohol-impaired and marijuana-impaired drivers from non-impaired drivers, among adolescents with a history of using these substances. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 6594 seventh- to twelfth-grade students in nine Ohio public school districts. Data analyses were conducted on the 11th to 12th grade sub-sample that had prior experience of alcohol (n = 1378) and/or marijuana use (n = 678). Logistic regression analyses confirmed that the involvements in alcohol-impaired and marijuana-impaired driving were both associated with higher levels of use of these two drugs. However, the profiles of these two risk behaviors were relatively distinct. Boyfriend/girlfriend alcohol use, hours spent at a job, race, family structure, and academic performance also had significant, independent relationships with the two driving practices. To effectively deter impaired driving among adolescents, prevention efforts must address the social context of adolescent alcohol and marijuana use.