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Citation |
Lillsunde PM. Blutalkohol 2000; 37(2): 34-39. |
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Affiliation |
Lillsunde, P., KTL-Nationale Gesundheitsinstitut, Fin 00300 Helsinki, Finland |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2000, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
There are no legal limits and no zero tolerance for drugs and driving in Finland. A driver can be convicted for the intake of drugs if he/she is intoxicated to the extent that he/she may be dangerous to traffic safety. The statutory limit for drinking and driving in Finland is 0,50 (per mille) (w/w). The limit for severe drunken driving is 1,2 (per mille). The corresponding breath alcohol control limits are 0.25 mg/l and 0.6 mg/l. The precision alcometers (Drager) have been used since July 1998. Drugs and driving are included into the drunken driving paragraphs and there are two levels for driving under influence of drugs a) drunken driving and b) severe drunken driving since 1.10.1999. Alcohol and drug determinations of suspected driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are centered in the National Public Health Institute (KTL) in Finland. Drug analysis is performed at the request of the police. After screening for the drugs in urine and/or blood, the concentrations in blood are measured in order to evaluate the effects of the drug on driving ability. The statistics of the National Public Health Institute, since 1977, show that the number of suspected drug cases, the number of positive findings and drug abuse have increased. The population of Finland is about 5 million. Yearly, the number of suspected drunken drivers is about 20 000. In 1998, 1323 drivers were suspected for drugs. Of these, 84% were drug positive cases. Tranquillizers and hypnotics, mainly benzodiazepines, are the most frequently found drugs. Benzodiazepines were found in 64% and illegal drugs in 57% of suspected drugs and driving cases. Amphetamines and cannabis were the most common illegal drugs. |