Alcohol and Drug Use Among Injured Drivers: Insights From an Emergency Room Study at an Institute of National...

Background Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) remain a leading global public health challenge, with driving under the influence of psychoactive substances significantly elevating crash risk. Despite India's high burden of road traffic injuries, data on substance use among injured drivers - particularly in central India - are limited. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol and drug use among drivers involved in MVCs, presenting to the Emergency Department of a tertiary care hospital in Raipur, India. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with 170 drivers who were admitted to the Trauma and Emergency Department of a tertiary care centre. The drivers were tested for the presence of various substances, including alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines, opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and barbiturates, using rapid detection kits. Data on demographics, crash characteristics, and substance use were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results Alcohol (45.9%), cannabis (21.9%), and benzodiazepines (9.4%) were the most detected substances, exceeding national averages. Polydrug use was common (14.1%), though benzodiazepines were never detected alone. Urban drivers showed higher substance use rates (cannabis: 59.1%; alcohol: 42.3%; opioids: 16.5%). No female drivers tested positive. Substance use was associated with life-threatening injuries in a significant population (79.2%). Conclusion The high prevalence of substance use among injured drivers underscores the need for stricter enforcement of impaired driving laws (e.g., roadside testing) and public health interventions targeting at-risk populations. Multicentric studies are warranted to validate these findings.