Alcohol and drugs among motorcycle riders compared with car and van drivers killed in road crashes in Norway during 2001-2010

Approximately 3.05 million motor vehicles are registered in Norway. Motorcycles and mopeds (MMs) represent 11 per cent of the vehicles and 2 per cent of the rides but as much as 21 per cent of drivers killed in road traffic crashes. This research investigates the prevalence of alcohol and drugs above the legislative limits among MM riders killed in road traffic crashes and compare with killed car and van (CV) drivers. Blood samples were selected from those routinely submitted by the police for analysis of alcohol and drugs in fatal traffic accidents during 2001-10. They were coupled with data from the Norwegian Road Traffic Accident Registry. Samples were analysed for alcohol and drugs. Alcohol or drugs were found in samples from 40 per cent and 27 per cent of killed CV and MM drivers; for single vehicle (SV) accidents 64 per cent and 45 per cent. Alcohol was most commonly found among drivers below 25 years, illicit drugs among those 25-34 years and medicinal drugs among those 35-54 years. Amphetamines and benzodiazepines were the most frequently found illicit and medicinal drug groups. The highest prevalence of alcohol or drugs was found in samples from drivers killed in SV accidents during weekend nights. MM drivers were more often involved in fatal accidents compared to the fraction of MM vehicles in normal traffic. However, the prevalence of alcohol or drugs was lower among MM drivers compared to CV drivers. One reason for the difference may be that MM drivers are less protected in an accident compared to CV drivers.

• Record URL:
  http://www.icadtsinternational.com/documents/?category=20th_T2013_Brisbane
• Authors:
  • Christophersen, A S
  • Gjerde, H
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (T2013), 20th, 2013, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• Publication Date: 2013-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 169-74
• Monograph Title: 20th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference Proceedings, 25-28 August 2013, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash analysis; Drugged drivers; Drugs; Drunk driving; Fatalities; High risk drivers; Intoxication; Medication; Mopeds; Motorcyclists
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (road users)
• Geographic Terms: Norway
• ATRI Terms: Crash analysis; Drink driving; Drug driving; Fatality rate; Medication; Moped; Motorcyclist
• ITRD Terms: 1602: Fatality
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01495655
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 17 2013 10:11AM