Drug and Driving: A Compendium of Research Studies

Annotated Sources (cont'd)

Italy

42. Zancaner, S., Georgetti, R., Fenato, F., Rossi, A., Tedeschi, L., Snenghi, R., Frison, G., Montisci, F., Tagliaro, F., Meroni, M., Giron, G., Marigo, M., and Ferrara, S. (1995)

Psychoactive substances and driving disability: Epidemiological roadside surveys in north-east Italy. In: TS-'95. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety. August 13-August 18, 1995. Adelaide, Au stralia. Adelaide: NHMRC, Road Accident Unit, University of Adelaide.

Overview

Results from a police-selected roadside sample in Veneto Region of Italy

Type of study, population(s) and proportion tested

N=1,537 drivers stopped by police on Sunday 1 to 7 am

Rapid screen for alcohol and drugs (optical and neurological tests)

N=309 suspected positive cases subjected to complete clinical and toxicological exam

17 refused breath test, 14 refused toxicological test

Final sample of 295 car drivers

249 blood tests, 221 urine tests

Drugs examined (threshold values for detection)
Method of testing and medium used

Breath test for alcohol

Blood and urine samples from suspected cases tested using "standardized analytical procedure"

Other dependent variables
Findings (including statistical methods)

51.4% alcohol positive (30.9% over 80 mg%)

10.2% positive for drugs of abuse or psychoactive drugs (n=10)

Cannabis most common drug found

Comments

Few details are provided

Not a random survey but a police enforcement activity