Citation

Bonnichsen R, Solarz A. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1981; 1981: 144-159.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The results obtained from a study of 6725 "drunken driving" cases from a four month period 1976 indicate a growing tendency of medicine consumption in connection with driving (13% in 1965, 23% in 1976). Sedatives, analgesics and stimulants which are considered to be dangerous in road traffic, appear most frequently. The results from the study suggest a cause-effect relationship between the influence of medicine and road traffic accidents or near accident situations. The authors discuss selected conclusions concerning the following problems: general characteristics of drivers taking medicines; the current law on "other intoxicants than alcohol" and the difficulties in its observance; the need of more information about driving and medicine; the programme for further research of some pharmaceutical, chemical, criminal-political and legal aspects of driving under the influence of medicine, and the need for closer cooperation between research groups from different countries. (TRRL)