Ethanol consumption & road traffic accidents: an overview between 1990 and 2007 in the centre of Portugal

Abstract

Ethanol is the most frequently detected drug in deaths from all causes, particularly traffic and labour accidents. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of alcohol among drivers involved in fatal road traffic accidents between January 1990 and December 2007, by presenting the requests and ethanol results of the road traffic accidents autopsies, from the Pathology Service of the Centre Branch of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and from a Legal Medicine Office. In the Forensic Pathology Service and in the Office a total of 9409 and 1219 autopsies were performed, respectively, 3095 and 336 on road traffic accidents victims. Ethanol analysis was requested only in 54.5% and 75% of the road traffic accident cases, with 31% and 47% positive results, respectively. The major percentage involved concentrations over the maximum limit legally allowed (1.2g/L), being this undoubtedly present in males with ages between 21 and 30 years-old. Research has identified alcohol as a significant factor related to traffic accidents and this has led to specific legislation and methods of enforcement to prohibit this form of impaired driving