Is the clinical test for impairment a reliable tool in evaluating impairment from zopiclone and ethanol?

When the police stop a driver on the suspicion of drugged driving, it is essential to have the correct tools to help evaluate whether the apprehended driver is impaired or not. In Norway, a comprehensive clinical test for impairment (CTI) is performed by a physician, as a routine procedure, shortly after apprehension. Former research has indicated that such testing is suited for detecting alcohol impairment, but less sensitive for detecting impairment in driving caused by other drugs. To compare CTI results with experimental laboratory test results for zopiclone, a commonly used benzodiazepine-like drug, with alcohol as verum. A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial on 16 healthy male volunteers was performed. The volunteers each attended the research unit in 4 sessions, receiving placebo, 5 mg of zopiclone, 10 mg of zopiclone, or 50 g of ethanol. Blood samples were collected, and psychomotor performance was measured by computerized tests and by selected subtests from the Norwegian CTI. The performance on the CTI and the computerized psychomotor tests show both a clear concentration-dependant deterioration after consumption of an active substance (zopiclone or ethanol). Seven hours after intake, the performance was again comparable to baseline. The results show that the CTI may be of value in evaluating whether an individual is impaired or not, for zopiclone as well as for alcohol, with a sensitivity similar to that of computerized psychomotor tests.

• Record URL:
  http://www.icadtsinternational.com/documents/?category=20th_T2013_Brisbane
• Authors:
  • Hjelmeland, K
  • Gustavsen, I
  • Bernard, J P
  • Moerland, J
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (T2013), 20th, 2013, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• Publication Date: 2013-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 327-32
• 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: Alcohol effects; Driver performance; Drivers; Drug effects; Drugged drivers; Drugs; Impaired drivers; Medical examinations and tests; Reliability
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (road users)
• Geographic Terms: Norway
• ATRI Terms: Alcohol effects; Driver performance; Drug driving; Drug effects; Fitness to drive; Medical examination; Reliability
• ITRD Terms: 1553: Blood alcohol content; 2226: Driving aptitude; 2157: Medical examination
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01495680
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 17 2013 10:12AM