Citation

Perl J, Mascord DJ, Moynham AF, Starmer GA. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1995; 1995: 81-86.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Random breath testing in New South Wales has had a successful impact on alcohol-related road trauma. While the precise extent of drug-impaired driving on traffic safety has not been established there is a perceived problem based on the extent of drug usage in drivers and on the demonstrable impairment of skills performance by drugs with the central nervous system activity. This perception of drug involvement in traffic safety prompted the New South Wales Government to amend legislation to enable the taking of blood and urine samples from drivers suspected of being drug impaired. This paper presents the procedures adopted in the taking of blood samples, the incidence of various drugs in apprehended and accident-involved drivers, a description of the population of suspected drug-impaired drivers and the reason for coming to police notice. Results are presented for the period since the implementation of the legislation in 1987 and up to 1993. The impact of various procedural changes during that period is discussed.