Drug detection in professional drivers and driving fitness, the role of medical commissions for driving licences and of occupational medicine in France.

The influence of illicit drugs in trucks and buses accidents is not yet evaluated in most countries. Still mainly focused on medical fitness and alcohol related problems, the Medical Commissions for Driving licenses, in charge of the renewing of driving licenses for professional drivers, is just beginning to give interest to preventive Drug Detection. At the same time, occupational medicine begins to move from a lack of interest for this problem (or a refusal to be involved in drug detection), due to the general demand of security on the road. In this context, a first study was led in France to try to evaluate the prevalence of Illicit Drugs in professional drivers checked in the Medical Commissions for a regular renewing of licenses, versus drivers checked in a context of revocation or withdrawal of their driving licenses.