The aim of this article was to assess the presence of alcohol and illicit drugs among Spanish drivers involved in fatal road accidents between 1991 and 1998. In addition, in this study the results from alcohol breath tests carried out on Spanish motor vehicle operators between 1989-1998 are also analysed. The results show that the presence of psychoactive substances in motor vehicle operators is frequent; a clear trend could not be established for the period analysed, although a trend is observed towards a decrease in the frequency with which some type of psychoactive substance was detected (58.7% in 1991, 50.8% in 1998), with the same for alcohol (51.3% in 1991, 43.2% in 1998). As far as alcohol breath tests given to motor vehicle operators are concerned, these have been positive in 3.5% of cases in 1998. The percentage of positive tests has been increasing as years go by, especially in those tests given to drivers involved in accidents and in traffic offences (1989-1997).
Abstract