Abstract
This study investigated the role of psychotropic substances (alcohol, drugs of abuse) in causing road accidents. A survey based on clinical and chemico-toxicological analyses was carried out on car drivers in the Veneto region during night weekends since 1994. The prevalence of drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol is very high in Italy. The lack of proper prevention/education programs and of any deterrent effect, due to the non-application of laws in force, means that at-risk behaviour remains at high levels. Italy needs to extend the isolated prevention programs undertaken so far and to set up a permanent service of clinical and toxicological checks to be applied throughout the country.