Skip to main content

Alcohol and Drug Fatalities in Transportation: Forensic-Toxicological Implications

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Forensic Pathology Reviews

Part of the book series: Forensic Pathology Reviews ((FPR,volume 6))

Abstract

Alcohol, drugs and medicines are recognized as leading factors for traffic accidents even with fatal outcome. Epidemiological data as well as basic information about alcohol, drugs and medicines are given, especially concerning driving effects. Finally, forensic-toxicological aspects concerning drug fatalities in transportation are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 229.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Krüger HP, Schulz E, Magerl H (1995) The German roadside survey 1992–1994. Saliva analyses from an unselected driver population: licit and illicit drugs. In: Kloeden CN, McLean AJ (eds) Alcohol, drugs and safety – T’95. University of Adelaide, NHMRC Road Accident Research Unit, pp 55–62

    Google Scholar 

  2. Maes V, Charlier C, Grenez O, Verstraete A (1999) Drugs and medicines that are suspected to have a detrimental impact on road user performance. Rosita EU research project, Deliverable 1

    Google Scholar 

  3. Raes E, van den Neste T, Verstraete A, Lopez D, Hughes B, Griffiths P (2008) Drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). EMCDDA Insights, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  4. Drummer OH (1994) Drugs in drivers killed in Australian road traffic accidents. The use of responsibility analysis to investrigate the contribution of drugs to fatal accidents. Report No. 0594. Dep. of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melborne

    Google Scholar 

  5. Terhune KW, Ippolito CA, Hendricks DL, Micjalovic JG, Bogema SC, Santinga P, Blomberg R, Preusser D F (1992) The incidence and role of drugs to fatal accidents. DOT HS 808 065. National Highway Safety Administration

    Google Scholar 

  6. Longo MC, Hunter CE, Lokan RJ, White JM, White MA (2000) The prevalence of alcohol, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and stimulants amongst injured drivers and their role in driver culpability: part II: the relationship between drug prevalence and drug concentration, and driver culpability. Accid Anal Prev 32:623–632

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Drummer OH, Gerostamoulos J, Batziris H, Chu M, Caplehorn J, Robertson MD, Swann P (2004) The involvement of drugs in drivers of motor vehicles killed in Australian road traffic crashes. Accid Anal Prev 36:239–248

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Brault M, Dussault C, Bouchard J, Lemire AM (2004) The contribution of alcohol and other drugs among fatally injured drivers in Quebec: final results. In: Oliver J, Williams P, Clayton A (eds.) Proceedings of the 17th International Conference of Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (Glasgow) (CD); International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (ICADTS), Oslo

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mura P, Chatelain C, Dumestre V, Gaulier JM, Ghysel MH, Lacroix C, Kergueris MF, Lhermitte M, Moulsma M, Pepin G, Vincent F, Kintz P (2006) Use of drugs of abuse in less than 30-year-old drivers killed in a road crash in France: a spectacular increase for cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines. Forensic Sci Int 160:168–172

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Cheng JY, Chan DT, Mok V (2005) An epidemiological study on alcohol/drugs related fatal traffic crash cases of deceased drivers in Hong Kong between 1996 and 2000. Forensic Sci Int 153:196–201

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Sironi L, Molendini LO, Bernabei C, Marozzi F (1999) Incidence of xenobiotics among drivers killed in single-vehicle crashes. Forensic Sci Int 104:37–46

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Vignali C, Groppi A, Polettini A, Valli A, Sali A, Cancelli B, Montagna M (2001) Drugs and driving. Toxicological findings in 119 fatally injured drivers. In: Novakova E, Habrdova V (eds) Proceedings of the 39th International Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT), pp 368–373

    Google Scholar 

  13. del Rio CM, Gomez J, Sancho M, Alvarez FJ (2002) Alcohol, illicit drugs and medicinal drugs in fatally injured drivers in Spain between 1991 and 2000. Forensic Sci Int 127:63–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lopez-Rivadulla M, Cruz A (2000) Drugs and driving in Spain. Blutalkohol 37(Suppl):28–33

    Google Scholar 

  15. Holmgren P, Holmgren A, Ahlner J (2005) Alcohol and drugs in drivers fatally injured in traffic accidents in Sweden during the years 2000–2002. Forensic Sci Int 151:11–17

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Assum T, Mathijssen MPM, Houwing S (2005) The prevalence of drug driving and relative risk estimations. A study conducted in the Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom; Immortal Deliverable D-R4.2. Austrian Road Safety Board, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  17. Logan BK, Schwilke EW (2004) Changing patterns of alcohol and drug use in fatally injured drivers in Washington State 1992–2002. In: Oliver J, Williams P, Clayton A (eds) Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (Glasgow) (CD-ROM). International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (ICADTS), Oslo

    Google Scholar 

  18. Logan BK (2005) Adverse effects of stimulants and cannabis on driving. Presentation at the 17th Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS), Hong Kong

    Google Scholar 

  19. Berghaus G (2007) Meta-analyses in research in forensic medicine: alcohol, drugs, diseases and traffic safety. Forensic Sci Int 165:108–110

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Walsh JM, Verstraete AG, Huestis MA, Morland J (2008) Guidelines for research on drugged driving. Addiction 103:1258–1268

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Australian Drug Foundation (2009) Drugs and driving. http://www.drugsdriving.adf.org.au.

  22. Austrian Road Safety Board (2003) Preventative measures to prevent driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs. Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  23. Madea B, Dettmeyer R with collaboration of Musshoff F (2007) Basiswissen Rechtsmedizin. Springer, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  24. Madea B, Musshoff F, Berghaus G (2007) Verkehrsmedizin. Deutscher Ärzte-Verlag, Cologne

    Google Scholar 

  25. Krüger HP, Kazenwadel J, Vollrath M (1995) Das Unfallrisiko unter Alkohol mit besonderer Berücksichtigung risikoerhöhender Faktoren. Krüger HP (ed) Das Unfallrisiko unter Alkohol. Analyse, Konsequenzen, Maßnahmen. Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, pp 1–114

    Google Scholar 

  26. Grohmann P (1996) Deutsches Promillerecht – Überblick und Leitfaden für die verkehrsgerichtliche Praxis. Blutalkohol 33:177–200

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bartl G, Lager F, Domesle L (1998) Testleistung bei Minderalkoholisierung. Lebensraum Verkehr – Kleine Fachbuchreihe des KfV, 97–141. Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit. Vienna. pp 97–141

    Google Scholar 

  28. Klebelsberg D (1988) Drugs and traffic safety – some basic reflections. IATSS Res 12:24–32

    Google Scholar 

  29. Borkenstein RF, Crowther RF, Shumate RP, Ziel WB, Zylman R (1964) The role of drinking driver in traffic accidents (The Grand Rapids Study). Department of Police Administration, Indiana University. Bloomington, Indiana, US

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ramaekers JG, Moeller MR, van Ruitenbeek P, Theunissen EL, Schneider E, Kauert G (2006) Cognition and motor control as a function of Delta9-THC concentration in serum and oral fluid: limits of impairment. Drug Alcohol Depend 85:114–122

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Sexton B, Tunbridge RJ, Board A, Jackson PG, Wright K, Stark MM, Engelhart K (2002) The influence of cannabis and alcohol on driving (TRL 543). Transport Research Laboratory, Wokingham, UK

    Google Scholar 

  32. Lamers CT, Ramaekers JG (2001) Visual search and urban driving under the influence of marijuana and alcohol. Hum Psychopharmacol 16:393–401

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Dussault C, Brault M, Bouchard J, Lemire AM (2002) The contribution of alcohol and other drugs among fatally injured drivers in Quebec: some preliminary results. In: Mayhew D, Dussault C (eds) Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs, and Traffic Safety (CD-ROM). La Societe deI’Assurance Automobile du Quebec. Montreal, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mura P, Kintz P, Ludes B, Gaulier JM, Marquet P, Martin-Dupont S, Vincent F, Kaddour A, Goulle JP, Nouveau J, Moulsma M, Tilhet-Coartet S, Pourrat O (2003) Comparison of the prevalence of alcohol, cannabis and other drugs between 900 injured drivers and 900 control subjects: results of a French collaborative study. Forensic Sci Int 133:79–85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Laumon B, Gadegbeku B, Martin JL, Biecheler MB (2005) Cannabis intoxication and fatal road crashes in France: population based case-control study. BMJ 331:1371

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ramaekers JG, Berghaus G, van Laar M, Drummer OH (2004) Dose related risk of motor vehicle crashes after cannabis use. Drug Alcohol Depend 73:109–119

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Fishbain DA, Cutler RB, Rosomoff HL, Rosomoff RS (2003) Are opioid-dependent/tolerant patients impaired in driving-related skills? A structured evidence-based review. J Pain Symptom Manag 25:559–577

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Dussault C, Brault M, Lemire AM, Bouchard J (2001) The role of cocaine in fatal crashes: first results of the Quebec drug study. Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med 45:125–137

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Silber BY, Papafotiou K, Croft RJ, Ogden E, Swann P, Stough (2005) The effects of dexamphetamine on simulated driving performance. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 179:536–543

    Google Scholar 

  40. Brookhuis KA, de Waard D, Samyn N (2004) Effects of MDMA (ecstasy), and multiple drugs use on (simulated) driving performance and traffic safety. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 173:440–445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Gustavsen I, Morland J, Bramness JG (2006) Impairment related to blood amphetamine and/or methamphetamine concentrations in suspected drugged drivers. Accid Anal Prev 38:490–495

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Schubert W, Schneider W, Eisenmenger W, Stephan E (2005) Begutachtungsleitlinien zur Kraftfahrereignung, Kommentar. 2. Aufl., Kirschbaum Verlag, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  43. Skopp G (2004) Preanalytic aspects in postmortem toxicology. Forensic Sci Int 142:75–100

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Drummer OH (2004) Postmortem toxicology of drugs of abuse. Forensic Sci Int 142:101–113

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Mura P, Kintz P, Dumestre V, Raul S, Hauet T (2005) THC can be detected in brain while absent in blood. J Anal Toxicol 29:842–843

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Musshoff F, Madea B (2007) New trends in hair analysis and scientific demands on validation and technical notes. Forensic Sci Int 165:204–215

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Musshoff F, Madea B (2007) Analytical pitfalls in hair testing. Anal Bioanal Chem 388:1475–1494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Farrell LJ, Kerrigan S, Logan BK (2007) Recommendations for toxicological investigation of drug impaired driving. J Forensic Sci 52:1214–1218

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Moeller MR, Kraemer T (2002) Drugs of abuse monitoring in blood for control of driving under the influence of drugs. Ther Drug Monit 24:210–221

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Maurer HH (2009) Mass spectrometric approaches in impaired driving toxicology. Anal Bioanal Chem 393:97–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Maurer HH (2005) Multi-analyte procedures for screening for and quantification of drugs in blood, plasma, or serum by liquid chromatography-single stage or tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS or LC-MS/MS) relevant to clinical and forensic toxicology. Clin Biochem 38:310–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Kraemer T, Paul LD (2007) Bioanalytical procedures for determination of drugs of abuse in blood. Anal Bioanal Chem 388:1415–1435

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Peters FT, Drummer OH, Musshoff F (2007) Validation of new methods. Forensic Sci Int 165:216–224

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry (GTFCh) (2009) Richtlinie der GTFCh zur Qualitätssicherung bei forensisch-toxikologischen Untersuchungen und Anforderungen an die Validierung von Analysenmethoden. http://www.gtfch.org/cms/index.php/guidelines?Itemid=126

  55. Dresen S, Kempf J, Weinmann W (2007) Prevalence of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in serum samples of amphetamine, metamphetamine and ecstasy impaired drivers. Forensic Sci Int 173:112–116

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Verschraagen M, Maes A, Ruiter B, Bosman IJ, Smink BE, Lusthof KJ (2007) Post-mortem cases involving amphetamine-based drugs in The Netherlands. Comparison with driving under the influence cases. Forensic Sci Int 170:163–170

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Pounder DJ, Smith DR (1995) Postmortem diffusion of alcohol from the stomach. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 16:89–96

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Iwasaki Y, Yashiki M, Namera A, Miyazaki T, Kojima T (1998) On the influence of postmortem alcohol diffusion from the stomach contents to the heart blood. Forensic Sci Int 94:111–118

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Pounder DJ, Yonemitsu K (1991) Postmortem absorption of drugs and ethanol from aspirated vomitus – an experimental model. Forensic Sci Int 51:189–195

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Drummer OH (1997). Stability of drugs postmortem: a review. Proceedings of the 35th Annual Meeting of TIAFT, Padua

    Google Scholar 

  61. Isenschmid DS, Levine BS, Caplan YH (1989) A comprehensive study of the stability of cocaine and its metabolites. J Anal Toxicol 13:250–256

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Robertson MD, Drummer OH (1995) Postmortem drug metabolism by bacteria. J Forensic Sci 40:382–386

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Robertson MD, Drummer OH (1998) Stability of nitrobenzodiazepines in postmortem blood. J Forensic Sci 43:5–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Jones G (2004) Postmortem toxicology. In: Moffat AC, Osselton MD, Widdop B (eds) Clarke’s analysis of drugs and poisons, 3rd edn. Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Mußhoff PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mußhoff, F. (2011). Alcohol and Drug Fatalities in Transportation: Forensic-Toxicological Implications. In: Turk, E. (eds) Forensic Pathology Reviews. Forensic Pathology Reviews, vol 6. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-249-6_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-249-6_15

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-248-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-249-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics