In 1998, the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe initiated two studies of illicit drugs and road safety throughout 12 participating member countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Subsequently, five additional member countries also participated: Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway, and Portugal. The first study reviewed investigations of illicit drug prevalence in the road traffic of the original 12 nations. Despite a few extensive epidemiologic studies, this report (Dr. Johan de Gier) documents the virtual lack of sufficient knowledge about the magnitude of the drug-driving problem. The second study was an empirical survey focused on the laws and enforcement among these countries. It was designed to identify and assess: (1) existing and pending laws among these countries regarding use of illicit drugs among drivers; (2) difficulties faced by police, prosecutors, and courts with respect to illicit drugs and road safety; and (3) existing and currently proposed prevention measures. This workshop provides a summary of the major cross-national findings in the areas of: (1) prevalence of illicit drugs in road traffic; (2) drugs in society; (3) drugs in traffic; (4) difficulties faced by the police; (5) post-arrest processing: prosecution, conviction, and sentencing; (6) regulations for regranting driver licenses; and (7) prevention. The principal issues stemming from these results are also discussed, as well as selected drug-driving policy issues.
Abstract