Risk Factors Associated with Passenger Vehicle Fatal Rollover Crashes in West Virginia, 2001-2018

Background: Rollover crashes cause more injuries and fatalities than other types of motor vehicle crashes. West Virginia (WV) has high rates of drug overdose deaths and motor vehicle crash fatality. However, no studies have investigated risk factors associated with fatal rollover crashes in WV. Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether drug use and other risk factors are associated with fatal rollover crash fatalities in WV. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the Fatality Analysis Reporting System dataset from passenger vehicle crashes involving WV drivers ≥ 16 years of age with known drug test results who died within 2 hours after collision from 2001 to 2018. Risk factors associated with fatal rollover crashes were compared to non-rollover crashes using multivariable logistic regression. Results: During the study period, 880 WV drivers died in rollover crashes. Driving ≥ 60 mph [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4-6.8], alcohol use (aOR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.1), rural areas (aOR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-1.9), and the lack of airbag deployment (aOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 2.1-3.5) were associated with fatal rollover crashes in WV. However, drug use was not associated with fatal rollover crashes in the final multivariable logistic regression model (aOR:1.13; 95% CI: 0.9-1.5). Implications: Findings of risk factors associated with rollover crash fatalities in WV can inform several public health interventions. Rapid and sensitive assessment tools and standardized toxicology testing are helpful to provide more comprehensive drug-impaired driving datasets for future analysis

Motor Vehicle Fatalities During Memorial Day Weekends, 1981-2016

OBJECTIVE: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury death in the United States, and Memorial Day weekend is one of six holiday periods with an increased number of motor vehicle fatalities in the United States. However, few motor vehicle fatality comparisons were made between Memorial Day weekend and non-holiday periods. Our aims were to determine which day(s) during the holiday had highest motor vehicle fatality risk compared to non-holiday travel and to identify potential risk factors. RESULTS: Of 43,457 traffic fatalities studied, 15,292 (35%) occurred during the holiday, with Saturday being deadliest but Monday having highest odds of traffic fatality. Both sexes, all years, age \u3c 65, drivers and passengers, rural and urban, and all regions in the United States were at increased risk during the holiday versus non-holiday periods

Driving After Marijuana Use Among US College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Adolescents and college-aged adults account for a large proportion of the United States population and are susceptible to drugs, including marijuana. Since the late 1960s in the United States, numerous states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. These recent policy changes may alter people’s attitudes and behaviors about marijuana use, particularly young adults. The expansion of state-level marijuana legalization may also increase accessibility in younger populations and increase reckless driving behavior associated with marijuana use, including driving after marijuana use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents and young adults experienced heightened stress and anxiety, which have significantly contributed to increased drug use and increased risk behaviors that are positively associated with increased drug use, including drug-impaired driving. However, no published studies have investigated marijuana use among adolescents and young adults and driving after marijuana use among college-aged adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Methods: This study employed a systematic review to comprehensively summarize the recent literature about marijuana use among adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, a cross-sectional analysis of a national dataset of the United States college students who at least 18 years old and reported recent driving and marijuana use to assess the demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with driving after marijuana use, and a second cross-sectional study using a survey to assess the demographic and behavioral risk factors, as well as perceptions or attitudes toward driving after marijuana use and state of residence, associated with driving after marijuana use among active West Virginia University students who had recent driving history, had a valid driver’s license, and were at least 18 years old. Results: Among 278 initiated database searches, fifteen studies included in the systematic review. The changes in marijuana use among adolescents and young adults during the pandemic in the systematic review were highly varied. Depression and anxiety related to pandemic were associated with increased marijuana use. During the pandemic, approximately 30% (n=4,947) of the US college student respondents reported driving after marijuana use. College students who were males (adjusted odds ratio, AOR: 1.64, 95% confidence interval, CI:1.48-1.82), non-Hispanic Black (AOR: 1.32, 95% CI:1.02-1.71), sexual minorities (AOR:1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.31), individuals with an alcohol or substance use disorder (AOR: 1.44, 95% CI:1.08-1.91), anxiety (AOR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06-1.36), higher suicidality (AOR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07-1.31), and those who also drank and drove (AOR: 3.18, 95% CI: 2.84-3.57) had a higher risk of driving after marijuana use. During the pandemic, 28.9% of West Virginia University students participants reported driving after marijuana use. Students who had a GPA of B (AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.06-4.42), drove 1-2 hours on the weekend (AOR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.10-5.06), smoked or ingested marijuana in the past year (AOR: 26.51, 95% CI: 10.27-68.39), were involved in a previous collision (AOR: 3.83, 95% CI: 1.37-10.70), drove after drinking (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.18-4.79), and used both marijuana and alcohol concurrently and then drove (AOR: 10.39, 95% CI: 2.32-46.54). Additionally, students who felt the behavior was somewhat dangerous (AOR: 9.06, 95% CI: 3.35-24.5) or not dangerous (AOR: 21.18, 95% CI: 5.4-83.17) or thought their peers approved (AOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.11-4.82) of this risky driving behavior showed significant associations with driving after marijuana use. Conclusions: The findings of this research suggest numerous research and prevention implications. Continued surveillance of marijuana use trends and driving after marijuana use among college students is necessary. Additionally, prevention or intervention programs are also needed to raise awareness of the danger and potential consequences of driving after marijuana use on college campuses to reduce this risky behavior