Do minor tranquilisers (benzodiazepines) increase risk of collision in which the driver is injured?
Keywords: Drink/Drug Driving
ARSRPE
Submission Date: 2011
Abstract
Drivers taken to hospital in Victoria after a collision must provide blood for analysis for the proscribed drugs (cannabis, MDMA, methamphetamine). This study examines a range of other substances including benzodiazepines, opiates, and other psychotropic medication then matches toxicology results to an analysis of the police collision reports and assigns the driver a degree of responsibility. If a substance causes impairment, then more drivers are likely to be responsible for the collision than those who are drug and alcohol free. Over 1000 samples have been analysed to date. Of the alcohol-positive drivers, 95% caused their collision. Analysis of collisions involving drivers with BAC