SCREENING FOR DRUG USE AMONG NORWEGIAN DRIVERS SUSPECTED OF DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS

Two hundred and seventy blood samples selected at random from Norwegian drivers apprehended on suspicion of drunken or drugged driving were screened for the presence of amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol and cocaine. Of the samples tested, 223 were from drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol only (A cases). In the rest of the cases, the police also suspected drugs as a possible reason for driving impairment (D cases). One or more drugs besides ethanol were found in 38% of the A samples. Blood alcohol concentrations above the legal limit of 0.05% were found in 80% of the drug positive A cases and in 28% of the drug positive D cases. The frequency of drug detection in a sample was similar in samples with BAC above and below 0.05%, while this frequency was much higher in D samples with BAC below 0.05%5 than in D-samples with BAC bove 0.05%. Benzodiazepines were most frequently found among drivers above 25 years of age, while cannabinoids were most frequently found among drivers below 35 years. For about 15-20% of the A cases with BAC below 0.05%, other drugs were detected at concentrations which may cause driving impairment. It was concluded that analysis of alcohol only might often be insufficient in A cases to reveal driving impairment.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03790738
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Limited

  P.O. Box 85
  Limerick,   Ireland 
• Authors:
  • Christophersen, A S
  • GJERDE, H
  • BJORNEBOE, A
  • Skshaug, J
  • Morland, J
• Publication Date: 1990

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 5-14
• Serial:
  • Forensic Science International
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue Number: 1-2
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0379-0738
  • EISSN: 1872-6283
  • Serial URL: http://fsijournal.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age; Alcoholic beverages; Amphetamines; Blood alcohol levels; Cocaine; Drivers; Drugs; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Impaired drivers; Marijuana
• Uncontrolled Terms: Benzodiazepines; Driver age
• Geographic Terms: Norway
• Old TRIS Terms: Cannbinoids; Driver impairment
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00607977
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1991 12:00AM