The influence and use of drugs other than alcohol among drivers

During the last few years, the National Institute of Forensic Toxicology has recorded an increasing number of cases of impaired driving due to drugs other than alcohol. Screening for drug use among drivers who are suspected of drunken driving only have also shown high frequencies of drug positive blood samples, indicating that a large number of drugged drivers are not discovered. Our results also show that the combined influence of both alcohol and drugs is common. Several new regulations were passed by the Norwegian Parliament in 1988 pursuant to the Norwegian Road Traffic Art. These new regulations include differentiation of sentences depending on blood alcohol concentration, introduction of evidential breath alcohol analysis and reduced use of clinical examination. The article discusses today's procedures for handling cases of suspected impairment by drugs. It is concluded that several problems will arise when dealing with cases of combined alcohol and drug impairment in accordance with the new Road Traffic Act, and that the introduction of evidential breath alcohol analysis and reduced use of clinical examination will make it more difficult to detect drugged drivers, particularly when they are also influenced by alcohol.