Uncovering the urgency for heightened drug testing
Drivers involved in traffic crashes are typically tested less for drugs than for alcohol. Estimates of the prevalence of various drug types present in traffic crashes are therefore based on incomplete data. To address this issue, a study involving the comprehensive reanalysis of blood samples collected from drivers hospitalised post traffic crashes was conducted in 2021. The toxicological results demonstrated that 47% of blood samples contained at least one drug of interest, and combinations of up to five drugs of interest were found in 18% of the samples. These results suggest that drug use among drivers involved in traffic crashes is prevalent, and this use consists of many drug types. Additionally, drugs of interest were detected in 39% of the blood samples that had previously only been tested for alcohol. This finding indicates that analysis for drugs other than alcohol could be relevant for all drivers involved in severe traffic crashes.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780648184867
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Supplemental Notes:
- Extended abstract (practitioner)
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Authors:
- Alexandrescu, L
- Mason, R R
- Cronin, A
- Van Lamoen, N
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 2023-9
Media Info
- Pagination: 49-51
- Monograph Title: Australasian Road Safety Conference, 19-21 September 2023, Cairns, Queensland
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Behavior; Blood; Blood analysis; Crash causes; Drivers; Drugged drivers; Drugs; High risk drivers; Police
- Geographic Terms: Australia; New Zealand
- ATRI Terms: Blood test; Crash cause; Driver behaviour; Drug driving; Police
- ITRD Terms: 1623: Severity (accid, injury)
- Subject Areas: Security and Emergencies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01931096
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: ARRB Group Limited
- ISBN: 9780648184867
- Files: ITRD, ATRI
- Created Date: Sep 17 2024 2:49PM