Drug toxicity and motor driving

Abstract

In the period 1977-1979, 218 cases of driving whilst under the influence of drugs were submitted to the Danish Medico-Legal Council. The female/male ratio was 50/168. Benzodiazepines were demonstrated in the blood of 75 drivers and barbiturates in 56 drivers. Most concentration levels found indicated drug abuse. Varying degrees of tolerance development may account for the lack of correlation between the drug concentrations in the blood and the degree of intoxication found at the clinical behaviour and coordination test.