The prevalence of alcohol and other drugs in fatal road crashes in Victoria, Australia

Alcohol and other drugs are known risk factors for road traffic crashes. We performed a population-based review of road trauma deaths in Victoria between 01 July 2006 and 30 June 2016 using data from the Victorian State Trauma Registry and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. While road traffic fatalities declined in motor vehicle drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians, we observed increases in the prevalence of opioids, amphetamines and ketamine in motorcyclists. These data provide important insights that can be used to inform testing regimes and targeted interventions to reduce alcohol and other drug use in all road users.