Incidence of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs 1985 An Update of the State of Knowledge

• NCJ Number: 106890
• Author(s): R P Compton; T E Anderson
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 31 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Admin
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DOT HS 806 900

Annotation

This report reviews recent studies of the incidence of drug use by drivers.

Abstract

The report is divided into three sections covering the incidence of drug use by: (1) fatally injured drivers, (2) injured drivers, and (3) nonaccident involved drivers detained by the police. The studies reviewed indicate which drugs are being used by drivers. The drugs (or drug classes most frequently detected are (in order of decreasing incidence): marijuana, Diazepam (Valium(R)), cocaine, barbiturates (e.g., secobarbital), methaqualone, and PCP (phencyclidine). The data reviewed indicate that drugs are detected in 10 percent of the accident involved drivers. The majority of the drug-using drivers were found to have high levels of alcohol in combination with the drugs. Tables and 25 references. (Author abstract modified)