In-Vehicle Real-Time Cannabis Influenced Driving Detection
Randomised, Controlled, Interventional Single-center Study for the Design and Evaluation of an In-vehicle Real-time System for Detecting Cannabis-impaired Driving (CID)
University of Bern
45 participants
Jan 5, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether in-vehicle sensor data can be used to detect cannabis-impaired driving in healthy adult recreational cannabis users. The study aims to assess whether changes in vehicle, driver, and physiological sensor data can distinguish sober driving from cannabis-impaired driving, and how driving performance changes from baseline to approximately 1 to 6 hours after controlled cannabis consumption. Researchers will compare driving behavior and in-vehicle sensor data from participants who receive controlled cannabis administration with data from a randomized reference group without cannabis exposure, to determine whether cannabis-related impairment driving can be identified on the basis of machine learning. Participants will complete screening and baseline assessments and drive an instrumented vehicle on a closed test track under sober conditions. Participants assigned to the experimental arm will receive controlled cannabis administration, while participants in the reference arm will receive no intervention. All participants will perform repeated standardized driving sessions over several hours and complete traffic-medical, traffic-psychological, and in-vehicle pre-driving tests. Biological samples and in-vehicle sensor data will be collected throughout the study.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria8
- Informed consent as documented by signature
- Recreational cannabis-consumption (more than once per month)
- In possession of a definite Swiss or European Union (EU) driving license
- At least 21 years old
- Active, regular driving a car in the last 6 months
- Must be in good health condition
- No special equipment needed when driving (special seats, levers, etc.)
- Fluent in (Swiss) German and no speech impairment
Exclusion Criteria8
- Health concerns where cannabis consumption is contra-indicated (such as: high blood pressure, psychiatric problems (e.g. psychosis, depression, attention-deficit conditions, etc.)
- Cannabis-abstinence or excessive consumption, , assessed using the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R)
- For women: pregnancy or breastfeeding or if intention to become pregnant during study period (time between telephone screening and study day (visit 2)
- Alcohol misuse or excessive alcohol consumption habits/risky drinking behaviour, assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and/or phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in capillary blood > 200 ng/mL at first visit
- If breath alcohol test is positive at Visit 1 or Visit 2 (study day)
- Consumption of drugs of abuse (others than cannabis) within 4 weeks before the study
- Consumption of medications / pharmaceutical drugs which interfere with driving ability
- Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g., due to language
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Interventions
Participants assigned to the experimental arm receive a single, controlled inhalative administration of cannabis by smoking a THC-containing joint (target dose 0.67 mg THC per kg body weight; cannabis flowers with 15-18% THC).
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07401628