ABSTRACT
It has been recognised for some time that the presence of alcohol within the blood of a driver is associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle collisions, injuries, and fatalities.
The issue of alcohol-associated motor vehicle collisions is a worldwide problem; however, recent evidence suggests that the prevalence of drunk driving is decreasing in many Western societies. It is in this setting that an increasing interest in the contribution of illicit and therapeutic drugs to motor vehicle collisions has evolved. The varying proportion of both illicit and therapeutic medications within the blood of drivers will vary in different localities depending on many factors, including the inherent drug culture and drug availability, availability of over-the-counter medications, and prescribing habits of the medical profession.
