Road traffic accidents related to drugs and alcohol: current situation

Accidentalidad vial por consumo de drogas y alcohol: estado actual

Introduction: alcohol consumption is acknowledged as an important cause of road accidents due to its depressing effect on the central nervous system. Although recreational or illegal drugs have a similar action little is known on their relation with road accidents. Objective: to determine the current situation in Colombia and worldwide on the effects of alcohol and illegal psychoactive substances on the central nervous system as possible causes of road accidents. Methods: a review of the literature following an online data base search using DeCS and MeSH terms: street drugs, designed drugs, ethanol, cocaine, cannabinoides, amphetamines, injuries, traffic accident and automobile driving. Results: particularly in the United States sorne trials report a close relationship between the use of psychoactive substances and road accidents rendering figures close to those of alcohol. This relation has also been demonstrated in Mexico. Most of the publications on road accident factors in Colombia do not differentiate alcohol consumption from psychoactive substances use. This reflects a lack of promotion and prevention programs on alcohol and substance-related risk when driving. Tests to determine their presence are not ordered in a routine manner and available data does not reflect the actual costs related to care provided to victims of accidents caused by driving under the influence of these substances. Conclusions: the current situation of road accidents shows a distressing increase in mortality, morbidity and disability rates in developing countries such as our country. The effects of alcohol, cocaine, cannabinoides and methamphetamines on the central nervous system were analyzed concluding they affect a person,s ability to drive safely.

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