The influence of cannabis on real time higher-order driving skills: a scoping review.
Sander Thomas Van der Kint, Ragnhild Johanna Davidse, Maura Van Strijp
Accident; Analysis and Prevention July 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2026.108535 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Driver behaviour Driving performance Higher-order driving skills Scoping review |
| Key findings | Only three studies met inclusion criteria, so the authors conclude that no conclusions can be drawn about THC's effects on higher-order driving skills. The included studies showed no or only small effects on executive function, attention, time perception, decision making, visual search and vigilance, and the authors argue this scarcity is a significant gap in the research. |
Abstract
Cannabis use is frequently detected in motor vehicle crashes. While research has found an increased crash risk of driving under the influence of cannabis, research on the effects of cannabis, or THC, on driving behaviour seems to be somewhat limited to vehicle control. Our objectives were to map available research into the effects of THC on higher-order driving skills during actual driving. A scoping review was conducted by systematically searching Scopus, PubMed and TRID between 2003 and 2024. After applying inclusion criteria to 2326 studies, 40 studies underwent full-text review, after which three studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies examined higher-order driving skills using driving simulators or real-world driving and measured executive function, attention, time perception, decision making, visual search and vigilance. The results of this study revealed a scarcity of research investigating the effects of THC on higher-order driving skills. While the results of the included studies show no or only small effects of THC on higher-order driving skills, there is so little research available that no conclusions can be made. There seems to be limited evidence addressing the impact of THC on critical higher-order cognitive abilities which are essential for safe driving. This highlights a significant gap in the body of research underlining the need for future research to explore these skills in a driving environment. Research using simulators combined with eye-tracking might provide these important insights.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Determining the magnitude and duration of acute Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)-induced driving and cognitive impairment: A systematic and meta-analytic review. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews January 23, 2021
- Acute effects of partial CB1 receptor agonists on cognition - A meta-analysis of human studies. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry August 10, 2020
- The Effects of Cannabinoids on Executive Functions: Evidence from Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids—A Systematic Review Brain Sciences February 27, 2018
- The relationship between non‐acute adolescent cannabis use and cognition Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2007