Citation

Jones AW. Med. Sci. Law 1991; 31(3): 229-238.

Affiliation

Department of Alcohol Toxicology, National Laboratory of Forensic Chemistry, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1822585

Abstract

This paper gives a review and opinion about defence challenges arising during the prosecution of drinking drivers in Sweden. The statutory limit of blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is two-tiered; 0.2 mg/g (21 mg/100 ml) and 1.5 mg/g (159 mg/100 ml). In rank order of occurrence, the top ten defence challenges are shown in Table I. The hip-flask defence occurs in more than 90% of all challenges. Because the burden of proof in Swedish law rests on the prosecution, the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol is often dropped when alleged drinking after the offence is an issue.

Language: en