Seymour A., Oliver J.S.

Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK

This paper presents a retrospective study of fatal road traffic accidents, which occurred in the Strathclyde Region of Scotland. Details are given of the outcome of toxicology analyses which were carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, Glasgow University at the request of the Procurator Fiscal.
Cases are divided into two categories, the first one dealing with subjects of 25 years and under and the other involving subjects over 25 years of age. In each case a blood and/or urine sample was analysed for the presence of alcohol and drugs of abuse, where requested. The toxicology results and the role played by each party in the accident were recorded to provide a means for comparison of the results for 114 individuals and 119 individuals for the years 1995 and 1996, respectively.
The results of the survey indicate that there is a significant involvement of drugs in road traffic accidents and that alcohol still remains a big problem for all parties involved.