Female drivers suspected for drunken or drugged driving

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• The National Institute of Forensic Toxicology in Oslo analyzes samples from drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) in Norway.
• Understanding demographic patterns in substance use among DUI offenders is crucial for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sex differences in the prevalence and patterns of alcohol and drug use among Norwegian drivers apprehended for suspected DUI.
• To identify specific substances and their frequencies in relation to gender among this population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of blood and urine samples from 11,970 suspected drunken and 5,642 suspected drugged drivers in Norway during 1992 and 1993.
• Statistical comparison of drug and alcohol findings between male and female drivers.

Main Results:

• Women constituted a smaller proportion of both suspected drunken (7.6%) and drugged (10.9%) drivers.
• Tetrahydrocannabinol, benzodiazepines, and amphetamine were the most frequently detected drugs alongside alcohol.
• Benzodiazepines were found more often in blood samples from female drugged drivers compared to males.
• A lower proportion of women had blood ethanol concentrations exceeding the legal limit.

Conclusions:

• While women are less frequently apprehended for DUI, specific drug use patterns, such as higher benzodiazepine detection, are noted.
• Findings suggest nuanced gender-specific approaches may be needed in addressing alcohol and drug-impaired driving.