The role of alcohol, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and stimulants in road crashes.

Author(s)
Longo, M.C. Hunter, C.E. Lokan, R.J. White, J.M. & White, M.A.
Year
Abstract

Blood samples collected from 2500 non-fatally injured drivers involved in road crashes were analysed for the presence of alcohol, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and stimulants. Evaluation of the causal role of the drug in the crash was based on culpability analysis using data collected at the crash scene. A clear causal role was found for alcohol, with increased culpability rates at high blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). Benzodiazepine use was also associated with higher culpability when those with very low concentrations were excluded. Consistent with earlier research, THC was not associated with increased culpability. Relatively few drivers tested positive for stimulants and there was no clear evidence of greater culpability. Overall, alcohol plays the greatest role in road crashes, but benzodiazepines also have a significant effect.

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Publication

Library number
C 17186 (In: C 17017 [electronic version only]) /83 / ITRD E107495
Source

In: Alcohol, drugs and traffic safety T2000 : proceedings of the 15th ICADTS International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, Stockholm, Sweden, May 22nd - 26th, 2000, pp.-

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This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.