title: An epidemiological study on alcohol/drugs related fatal traffic crash cases of deceased drivers in Hong Kong between 1996 and 2000.
abstract: This study is designed to evaluate the correlation between fatal vehicle crashes (FVC) and consumption of alcohol and/or drugs among drivers. Between 1996 and 2000 in Hong Kong, a total of 197 FVC cases of deceased drivers were investigated. The blood and/or urine samples of the victims were examined for the presence of alcohol and drugs. The 197 cases were then classified into two groups: single-vehicle crashes (SVC) and multiple-vehicle crashes (MVC). Out of the 106 cases for the latter group, alcohol and/or drugs were detected in 22 cases (21%) while the remaining 84 cases (79%) were regarded as no significant finding. As for the 91 cases in SVC group, 51 cases (56%) were positive for alcohol and/or drugs. The findings indicate that a driver consuming alcohol and/or drugs has a higher risk of being involved in a FVC. The most frequently detected drugs for SVC group (11 cases) were: 46% central nervous system (CNS) stimulants (including designer drugs like MDMA); 36% cannabis; 18% benzodiazepines and 9% ketamine. The detected drug for the only case in the MVC group was a CNS stimulant. The number of cases with ketamine, methamphetamine and MDMA detected has increased in recent years as these party drugs have gained popularity in Hong Kong.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Science Division, Hong Kong Government Laboratory, Ho Man Tin Government Offices, 88 Chung Hau Street, Hong Kong SAR, China. jcheng@govtlab.gov.hk
authors.forename: Jack Y K
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: David T W
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Vincent K K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Mok
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol