Illicit Drugs and Alcohol: Driving Performance

Elbawwab, Enas Elsayed Ali Ali; Ebrahim, Esraa Ahmed Khalil Mohammed; Hassan, Ahmed Hossam Hamed; Dawoud, Hussein Mohammed Hussein; Hemaia, Mena Maged George; Hellmy, Yehia Nabil Abdalla; Mesallam, Dalia Ibrahim Ahmed

doi:10.21608/zumj.2022.126201.2497

Illicit Drugs and Alcohol: Driving Performance

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

¹ 4th medical student, faculty of medicine, zagazig university, Egypt

² Forensic Medicine &amp; Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

10.21608/zumj.2022.126201.2497

Abstract

Background: Road accidents caused by driving under the impact of alcohol and drugs are considered a serious concern. We aim to review the effect of illicit drugs and alcohol on drivers’ performance. Materials and Methods: Articles were obtained by electronic search of PubMed® and Google Scholar® using search terms cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids or opioids or synthetic opioids or alcohol or cocaine or illicit drugs And drive or driving. Conclusion: According to WHO studies from low- and middle-income nations, a significant number of professional drivers take narcotics by error and stimulants to stay alert and reduce fatigue. Illicit drugs and alcohol were shown to alter cognitive functions, and harm information processing, and performance on normal driving tasks. Therefore, more studies would clarify the drugs’ effect on traffic accidents. We recommended mandatory drug testing before issuing a driving license, and regular traffic police campaigns for screening of substance abuse among commercial drivers.

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