[Routines upon suspicion of driving under influence]

Norway was the first country in the world to introduce an act, in 1936, that prohibits driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.5 g/kg. This Norwegian Road Traffic Act was expanded in 1959 to include illegal drugs and other medicinal psychoactive drugs. Upon suspicion of drugged driving, a clinical test for impairment (CTI) is performed and blood samples are taken. The Norwegian police have been allowed to request blood analysis for illegal and prescribed drugs affecting driving performance, even by force if drug influence is suspected. There is currently no legal limit for drugs other than alcohol. The Division of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Abuse (DFTDA) at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health analyse blood samples from all drivers suspected of drugged driving in Norway. Based on results of the blood sample analysis and the CTI, the DFTDA makes a preliminary conclusion of the probability of impairment comparable to BAC above 0.5 g/kg. Then the prosecuting authority decides whether to charge the suspected driver. The impairment has to be proven to the court in each individual case. The court decision is based on the outcome of the CTI, the blood sample analyses, other information that may be given and in most cases an expert witness statement. The sentences can be conditional or unconditional imprisonment, depending on the BAC or the degree of drug impairment and withdrawal of the driving licence for a period of at least 2 years..