Relationship Between Blood Benzodiazepine Concentrations and the Clinical Test for Drunkenness in Drivers Suspected of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

• NCJ Number: 150778
• Journal: Alcohol Drugs and Driving Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1994) Pages: 135-146
• Author(s): T Kuitunen; K Aranko; E Nuotto; R Lindbohm; M J Mattila; T Korte; T Seppala
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The relationship between blood concentrations of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and performance on drunk driving tests is explored.

Abstract

This survey analyzes the concentration-effect relationship of BZDs in field conditions in terms of performance on the clinical test for drunkenness (CTD), which is a set of motor, vestibular, mental, and behavioral subtests developed in Finland to examine drunk drivers. The CTD is administered only to drivers who are suspected of driving under the influence of drugs other than alcohol. To reveal drug effects on CTD performance, blood and urine samples of 1,069 Finnish drivers drawn between January 1985 and November 10, 1986 were analyzed for BZDs and alcohol. Final analysis involved 327 cases. Impairments on the CTD correlated significantly both to blood alcohol concentration and to blood BZD concentration. The results confirm the sensitivity of the CTD in revealing alcohol-induced impairments of psychomotor performance, and also show a clear concentration-response relationship between CTD performance and blood BZD concentrations. Tables, references