Citation

Simpson HM, Warren RA, Collard D, Page-Valin L. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1977; 21: 219-225.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Coroners' records and toxicology reports on 721 fatally injured drivers in British Colombia were examined. Of these, 594 who died within six hours of the crash were studied for alcohol and barbiturates inasmuch as previous work has shown that the frequency of testing is directly related to the time of death. Among these victims, a high rate of testing was found, with specimens from 505 (85%) of the victims being subjected to chemical analyses. At least 46% of these drivers who died within six hours were found to be impaired, i.e., had B.A.C.'s in excess of 80 mg. %. The frequency for testing for barbiturates was less than the testing for alcohol, but, nevertheless, reasonably substantial with 197 victims being screened for barbiturates. Only five of these were positive. The incidence of barbiturates is comparable to what has been found in other studies and the implications of these data for future work in the area are considered.