TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence of alcohol, illicit drugs and psychoactive medicines in killed drivers in four European countries
AU - Legrand, Sara Ann
AU - Gjerde, Hallvard
AU - Isalberti, Cristina
AU - Van der Linden, Trudy
AU - Lillsunde, Pirjo
AU - Dias, Mario J.
AU - Gustafsson, Susanne
AU - Ceder, Gunnel
AU - Verstraete, Alain G.
N1 - Funding Information:
This article has been produced under the project Driving Under Influence of Drugs, Alcohol and Medicines (DRUID) financed by the European Community within the framework of the EU 6th Frame-work Program. This report reflects only the authors’ view. The European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - Our objective was to determine the presence of psychoactive substances in blood of drivers killed in road crashes in four European countries. Data from 1118 drivers of car and vans, killed between 2006 and 2009, were collected in Finland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden. The prevalence of any psychoactive substance ranged between 31 and 48%. Alcohol (≥ 0.1 g/L) was the most common finding, 87% had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ≥.5 g/L. Benzodiazepines (1.8-13.3%) and amphetamines (0-7.4%) were the most prevalent psychoactive medicines and illicit drugs, respectively. Alcohol-drug and drug-drug combinations were rather prevalent. Differences in alcohol/drug findings seemed to reflect differences in use in the countries. More research should be done to develop preventive strategies to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related traffic accidents targeting at-risk groups, such as drivers with very high BACs and novice drivers.
AB - Our objective was to determine the presence of psychoactive substances in blood of drivers killed in road crashes in four European countries. Data from 1118 drivers of car and vans, killed between 2006 and 2009, were collected in Finland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden. The prevalence of any psychoactive substance ranged between 31 and 48%. Alcohol (≥ 0.1 g/L) was the most common finding, 87% had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ≥.5 g/L. Benzodiazepines (1.8-13.3%) and amphetamines (0-7.4%) were the most prevalent psychoactive medicines and illicit drugs, respectively. Alcohol-drug and drug-drug combinations were rather prevalent. Differences in alcohol/drug findings seemed to reflect differences in use in the countries. More research should be done to develop preventive strategies to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related traffic accidents targeting at-risk groups, such as drivers with very high BACs and novice drivers.
KW - Europe
KW - killed drivers
KW - prevalence alcohol/drugs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84897999039&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/17457300.2012.748809
DO - 10.1080/17457300.2012.748809
M3 - Article
C2 - 23297822
AN - SCOPUS:84897999039
SN - 1745-7300
VL - 21
SP - 17
EP - 28
JO - International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion
JF - International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion
IS - 1
ER -
