[Medical assessment in suspected inability to drive a motor vehicle]

In questions of impaired driving, the expert statements of opinion are based primarily on the medical findings of the doctor involved. A proper medicolegal evaluation--and, as a consequence, the consistent legal evaluation of the event--depend entirely on the quality of this "statement by witness" on the actual psychophysiological condition of the accused motor vehicle driver. The Zurich Institute for Legal Medicine therefore developed a standardised method for the professionalisation of the medical examination of unfit drivers, such as those under the influence of drugs/medication, low levels of alcohol or fatigue. Based on literature searches, empirical knowledge and practical tests, a new medical examination procedure including a form was designed, which essentially includes an examination of the skin and the mucous membranes, a careful examination of the eyes, several tests of "divided attention" and the documentation of anomalies in the area of behaviour, mood and speech. The new procedure stands for a proper, performance-oriented strategy in the detection of impaired drivers.