Completed projects

2026

Chronic cannabis use, psychopathology, and subjective driving efficacy 

This project investigated the relationships between likely cannabis dependency, cannabis-related psychopathology, and subjective driving performance. 

Publication:

Love, S., & Armstrong, K. A. (2026). Beyond just intoxication: An exploration of the potential links between problematic cannabis use, self-reported psychological dysfunction, and subjective driving capabilities. Journal of Safety Research, 97, 479-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2026.04.016 

Development of the Anger Meta Awareness scale

This project developed and tested a new measure for anger-related metacognitions. 

This project is complete and the manuscript is currently under review. 

Differentiating risk in alcohol and drug-impaired-driving

This project is a two-part study that explored how risk factors differ between drink and drug driving.

This project is complete and the manuscript is currently being drafted for submission. 

Driver handbook review

This project conducted a content analysis of driver handbook manuals in Australia. It compared the information and advice provided for fatigued driving vs. drink driving. 

This project is complete and the manuscript is currently being drafted for submission. 

Exploring the role of social referents on drink driving among young drivers

This study explored the relationships between social referent groups on drink driving among young drivers.

Publications:

Nicolls, M., & Buckley, L. (2026). A qualitative study on young drivers' experiences with, and perceptions of others' engagement with, and approval of, next day drink driving. Journal of Safety Research, 96, 112-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2025.12.003 

Nicolls, M., & Buckley, L. (2026). Young drivers’ next day drink driving: The role of social norms. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 116, Article 103404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2025.103404 

Feasibility study assessing driving while impaired with alcohol and/or other drugs

This project explored the feasibility of research that involves administration of alcohol and cannabis.

Publication:

Buckley, L., Mieran, T., & Armstrong, K. A. (2026). Rapid review of experimental studies on alcohol and cannabis use and simulated driving behaviour: What can we learn about study methods? Transport Reviews, 46(1), 151-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2025.2561613 

Gender disparities in the factors associated with substance-affected driving: A scoping review

A scoping review of existing literature on gender differences in the factors associated with alcohol and drug impaired driving.

This project is complete and the manuscript is currently under review.

Impaired female drivers' support services: Study 1 and 2

This project is a two-part project involving the following: a qualitative interview study examining women's access to support during and after drink and drug driving apprehensions, and a qualitative interview/focus group study with stakeholders examining the capacity of current systems to deliver support to women. 

This project is complete. The first manuscript is currently under review, and the second manuscript is currently being drafted for submission. 

Metacognition and senior drivers

This project contained two studies. One investigated the relationships between metacognitive awareness, driving regulation, and cognitive change. The second investigated the relationship between metacognitive beliefs, driving anxiety, and attention. 

Publications:

Love, S., & Stefanidis, K. B. (2026). The influence of metacognitive beliefs and awareness on driving anxiety and attention in older adults. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 122, Article 103757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2026.103757 

Love, S., & Stefanidis, K. B. (2026). Understanding the role of metacognitive awareness in the self-regulation of driving among older adults. Journal of Safety Research, 97, 19-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2026.01.018 

Metacognitive awareness, emotion regulation, and aggressive driving

This project aimed to explore the relationships between metacognitive awareness, emotion regulation, and aggressive driving.

This project is complete and two manuscripts are currently under review. 

Methamphetamine use, psychological functioning, and driving behaviour

This project investigated the relationships between chronic methamphetamine using patterns, psychological dysfunctioning, and driving behaviour.

Publication:

Love, S., & Armstrong, K. A. (2026). The need for speed: An investigation on the psychological dysfunction underlying risky driving behaviors in crystal methamphetamine users. Journal of Safety Research, 97, 395-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2026.04.005 

The effects of methamphetamine use on driving: A thematic approach to use patterns and cognitive-behavioural outcomes

This project included three primary aims: a) to investigate the perceived effects of acute MA use, b) to examine the drug driving behaviours surrounding MA use, and c) to understand the perceptions that MA users have towards their driving and police enforcement.

Publication:

Love, S., & Rowland, B. (2026). The effects of methamphetamine on driving performance and behavior: A thematic linking of consumption patterns and cognitive-behavioral outcomes from in-depth interviews with methamphetamine users. Traffic Injury Prevention, 27(5), 517-525. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2025.2541902 

The effect of two brief metacognitive interventions on dissociated driving behaviour

This project investigated whether two brief metacognitive interventions (mindfulness-based stress reduction and Attention Training Technique) can improve perceived cognitive control and dissociated driving behaviours.

Publication:

Love, S., Armstrong, K. A., & Koppel, S. (2026). The effect of metacognitive skills on dissociative driving behaviour: a pilot study of two brief attention-based training methods. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 116, Article 103382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2025.103382 

The identification of attention dysregulation

This project utilises a combination of existing data to define a cutoff for identifying attention dysregulation in the DARS measure. 

This project is complete and the manuscript is currently being drafted for submission. 

The nature of driving under the influence of cannabis behaviour

This project utilises existing data to investigate the nature of different driving under the influence of cannabis behaviours and what factors are associated with them. 

This project is complete and the manuscript is currently being drafted for submission. 

Validation of the Cannabis Metacognitions Questionnaire

This project aimed to develop and validate a scale measuring cannabis-related metacognition. 

This project is complete and the manuscript is currently under review. 

Validation of the RSRC driving simulator - Effects of varying levels of alcohol intoxication on simulated driving performance metrics

This project aimed to quantify the effects of varying levels of alcohol intoxication (BAC .055 and .085 versus .020) on driving performance metrics in the RSRC simulator.

This project is complete. There are four manuscripts associated with this project. The first has been published with the second in press, the third remains under review, and the fourth is currently being drafted for submission.  

Publication:

Larue, G. S., & Love, S. (In press). Sensitivity of established driving simulator metrics to varying doses of alcohol during a brief motorway task. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 

Love, S., & Larue, G. S. (2026). Metacognitive judgments of alcohol-related intoxication and impairment: The Mellanby effect and alcohol myopia in low-risk drinkers. Journal of Safety Research, 97, 669-682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2026.05.009 

Women and impairment study

This project identified the individual, social, and environmental factors that contribute to drink driving and drug driving. 

Publication:

Armstrong, K. A., Watling, H., Mieran, T., & Marigold, J. (2026). Understanding the Cause and Diversity of Women's Drink and Drug Driving-A Qualitative Exploration. Drug and Alcohol Review, 45(3), Article e70141. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70141 

2025

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the antecedents of aggressive driving behaviour

This review and meta-analysis collated the past decades of aggressive driving research and identified prominent factors of influence on aggressive driving behaviours.

Publication:

Love, S., & Nicolls, M. (2025). What drives road rage? A systematic review on the psychological correlates of aggressive driving behavior. Journal of Safety Research, 94, 92-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2025.06.014 

A systematic review on the factors associated with the accuracy of self-estimated alcohol intoxication

This study systematically reviewed the factors associated with the accuracy of self-estimated alcohol intoxication.

Publication:

Love, S., & Larue, G. S. (2025). A systematic review on the factors associated with the accuracy of self-estimated alcohol intoxication: Implications for drink driving. Journal of Safety Research, 94, 425-435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2025.08.005 

Development of the Driver Metacognitions Questionnaire

This project developed and validated a new questionnaire that can measure specific metacognitive processes while driving. 

Publication:

Love, S., & Armstrong, K. A. (2025). Development of the Driver Metacognition Questionnaire: A scale to measure metacognitive awareness while driving. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 39(5), Article e701030. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.70130 

From anxiety to aggression: An investigation into the roles of personality and self-regulation in road behaviours

This project investigated why and how driving anxiety might lead to aggressive driving behaviour. 

Publication:

Love, S. (2025). From anxiety to aggression: An investigation into the roles of antisocial traits and self-regulatory dysfunction in road behaviours. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 113, 94-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2025.04.020 

How do personal traits, beliefs ,and motivations influence risk perception? A study investigating the comprehensive nature of drink driving deterrence

This study aimed to a) investigate the psychological and behavioural differences between those who don’t drink drive, those that drink drive just over the limit and those who drink drive well over the limit; b) explore whether there are psychological and behavioural patterns that outline distinct offender types; and c) examine how such factors impact on risk perceptions and subsequent drink driving intentions.

Publication:

Love, S., Rowland, B., & Larue, G.S. (2025). The influence of past experiences, psychological dysfunction, and problematic mentalities: An investigation into the comprehensive nature of drink-driving deterrence. Journal of Safety Research, 94, 167-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2025.06.013 

Perceptions of road safety by medicinal cannabis users in Queensland

This project aimed to conduct, an exploratory qualitative and quantitative investigation of medicinal cannabis users’ knowledge, perceptions, beliefs, and behaviours regarding drug driving legislation and if/how they manage consumption of medicinal products containing THC to avoid a drug driving conviction and or driving while impaired.

Publication:

Mieran, T., Davey, J., & Rowland, B. (2025). A qualitative exploration of the management of impaired driving in medicinal cannabis patients. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 109, 354-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.12.017 

2024

Development and validation of the ‘Beliefs about Driver Anger Questionnaire’: A scale to predict anger propensity on the road

This project aimed to develop and validate a new self-report measure of beliefs, the ‘Beliefs about Driver Anger Questionnaire’ (BDAQ), that can predict mental processes known to be associated with driver aggression (i.e., anger rumination and anger).

Publication:

Love, S., Kannis-Dymand, L., Larue, G. S., Rowland, B., & Davey, J. (2024). Development and validation of the Beliefs about Driver Anger Questionnaire: A scale to predict anger propensity on the road. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 102, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.02.002 

Development and validation of the Thought Disorder scale

This project sought to develop and validate a new self-report measure that can identify specific aspects of thought disorganisation. This measure can be used in future road safety research to more clearly understand how substance use is affecting driving behaviour via the impacts it has on thinking.

Publication:

Love, S., Kannis-Dymand, L., & Armstrong, K. A. (2024). Development and validation of a Disorganised Thoughts Scale: A new measure to assess thinking difficulties in the general population. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 492. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01988-z 

Development of the Driver Attention Regulation scale: A comprehensive measure of perceived ability to self-regulate attention on the road

This project aimed to validate such a measure and investigate the relationships it has with a) driver stress, driver errors, and driver lapses; and b) driver confidence, driver over-confidence, and risky driving behaviours.

Publication:

Love, S., Larue, G. S., & Rowland, B. (2024). Development and validation of the Driver Attention Regulation Scale: A measure of the perceived ability to regulation attention on the road. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 102, 199-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.02.015 

Drug use patterns, self-regulatory dysfunction, and subsequent driving behaviours

This study investigated the mediative link between substance use patterns, self-regulation and driving behaviours. In addition, it compared these factors across different drug groups and a control group. The findings of this study identified how much impairment or risky behaviour engagement is attributable to actual intoxicated driving. compared to substance use in general.

Publications:

Love, S., Rowland, B., & Armstrong, K. A. (2024). Is cannabis a slippery slope? Associations between psychological dysfunctioning, other substance use, and impaired driving, in a sample of active cannabis users. PLoS One, 19(10), Article e0310958. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310958 

Love, S., Unger, P., Rowland, B., & Armstrong, K. A. (2024). Is cannabis associated with more than just driving impairment? An investigation into the psychological dysfunctioning and driving behaviours of active cannabis users. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 107, 1162-1174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.11.010 

Profiling aggression on the road: The impact of self-regulation and psychological traits on driving behaviour

This study explored the potential profiles of aggressive drivers, based on their self-regulatory ability, and attitudes towards certain behaviours. The identified profiles were linked to specific aggressive driving behaviours.

Publication:

Love, S., Indrawan, Y., & Larue, G.S. (2024). Development of a nuanced approach to aggressive driving: An investigation into the self-regulatory and attitudinal profiles of aggressive drivers and their contextual role in negative road interactions. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 102, 142-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.02.012 

Substance use, psychological functioning, and risky driving behaviour: A comparison on the patterns of alcohol and cannabis users

This project is a continuation of previous work which looked at chronic cannabis use patterns, psychological dysfunction, and driving behaviours. For this project, such factors were compared across regular alcohol and cannabis users, with a non-substance using sample.

Publication:

Love, S., Koppel, S., & Armstrong, K. A. (2024). Problematic substance use and implications for road safety: An investigation on psychological dysfunction and risky driving styles. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 104, 42-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.05.011 

The impact of methamphetamine use and dependence: A systematic review on the cognitive-behavioural implications for road safety

This systematic review evaluated the current research base relating to methamphetamine use and its associated cognitive-behavioural outcomes. 

Publication:

Love, S., Nicolls, M., Rowland, B., & Davey, J. (2024). The impact of methamphetamine use and dependence: A systematic review on the cognitive-behavioural implications for road safety. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 103, 480-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.05.002 

2023

How accurate are appraisals of impairment? A systematic review comparing the objective and subjective measures of driving performance under the influence of alcohol and cannabis

This study reviewed the current level of evidence surrounding how accurate alcohol and cannabis users are at rating their own impairment when under the influence.

Publication:

Love, S., Larue, G. S., & Rowland, B. (2023). Alignment of subjective and objective driving impairment following alcohol and cannabis use: A systematic review. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 37(6), 1167-1182. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.4111