INCIDENCE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL IN FATALY INJURED MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS

All motor vehicle accident fatalities occurring in Dallas County during a 1-1/2-year period were studied to determine drug usage at the time of death. Blood samples obtained at autopsy or at the time of hospital admission were analyzed for the presence of drugs and alcohol. Of the drivers, 70% were positive for alcohol or drugs. Ethyl alcohol alone was detected in 52%, drugs in 9%, and both drugs and alcohol in another 9%. Seventy-six percent of the drivers determined to be at fault in their respective accidents had alcohol or drugs detected compared to 41% for not-at-fault drivers. The minor tranqualizer diazepam accounted for over half of all positive drug findings, while barbiturates, antihistamines, methaqualone, propoxyphene, and pentazocine were each detected in more than one instance. /Author/

• Corporate Authors:

  Forensic Science Society

  107 Fenchurch Street
  London EC3,   England 
• Authors:
  • Garriott, J C
  • DiMaio, V J
  • Zumwalt, R E
  • Petty, C S
• Publication Date: 1977-4

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 383-389
• Serial:
  • Journal of Forensic Science
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Forensic Science Society

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash investigation; Drivers; Drugs; Drunk driving; Federal aid highways; Medical examinations and tests; Tranquilizers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165760
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM