This paper draws attention to the problem of drug progression, as reflected in the expert opinion of driving ability in Bavaria. Between 1990 and 1991, drug offences there rose by 3.7% in general, but by an alarming 38% for heroin offences, according to the criminal investigation office. This tendency was matched by the annual increase in such delinquents, as checked by officially authorised institutions for assessing drivers' abilities. The number of tested people who offended against the drug law rose by 46% between 1990 and 1991, and the proportion of tested people found delinquent rose from 6.6% to 8.6%. Details are given of the procedures used for polytoxicological screening of urine (PTS), which is carried out in three stages. The principal diagnostic problem is to prove regular cannabis consumption, due to protective statements by its consumers. The author considers that, on the whole, his research results provide evidence for cannabis consumption being a threat to traffic safety, second only to that of alcohol. Thus a permissive attitude to drugs will lead to much loss of life.
Samenvatting