scholarly journals Cigarette Smoking as a Predictor of Male DUI Recidivism

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10761
Author(s):  
Claudio Terranova ◽  
Giovanni Forza ◽  
Elena Beccegato ◽  
Angelo Ruggeri ◽  
Guido Viel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Smoking Habit ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Driving License ◽  
First Time

This study aimed to investigate the predictors of recidivism in first-time driving under the influence (DUI) offenders, analyzing variables derived from medico-legal and toxicological examinations. The research was structured as a comparative study for the period 2012–2019. DUI offenders with a blood alcohol concentration >0.5 were included in the study. The case group consisted of recidivist offenders, while the comparison group consisted of first-time offenders. Personal data, socioeconomics, and parameters linked to the DUI were compared between the two groups. Significance was determined by chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests. To prevent confounding effects, multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Our sample encompassed 1678 subjects (196 in the case group, 1482 in the comparison group). Gender, driving license category, education, and tobacco use resulted in significant differences between the groups. In a model including age at DUI, education, and smoking habit as independent variables, higher educational levels (high school, bachelor’s) and older age protected against recidivism, whereas smoking >20 cigarettes/day was an independent risk factor for recidivism. Recidivist offenders have specific characteristics indicating different therapeutic programs and carefulness in driving license regranting. A higher tobacco consumption in recidivists suggests that the use of this substance could influence the risk of DUI for reasons that will need to be explored.

scholarly journals Driving license regranting in DUI subjects: Road accident variables and predictive factors of substance use disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042110337
Author(s):  
Elena Beccegato ◽  
Angelo Ruggeri ◽  
Massimo Montisci ◽  
Claudio Terranova
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Road Accident ◽  
Ethyl Glucuronide ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Driving License ◽  
The Road

A comparative case study (2017–2020) was conducted to identify demographic, social, medico-legal, and toxicological variables associated with non-fatal accidents in driving under the influence (DUI) subjects. A second aim was to identify the factors predictive of substance use disorders among subjects. Drivers charged with alcohol DUI (blood alcohol concentration (BAC) > 0.5) and/or psychoactive substance DUI were included; cases included those involved in an accident while intoxicated, and the comparison group included DUI offenders negative for road accident involvement. Significance was determined by chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests. To prevent confounding effects, a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Our sample encompassed 882 subjects (381 in the case group and 501 in the comparison group). Parameters such as psychoactive substances and BAC at the time of the road crash/DUI and the day of the week, when subjects were involved in the road accident or found DUI, resulted in significant differences ( p < 0.01) between groups. The model’s independent variables of BAC > 1.5 g/L ( p = 0.013), BAC > 2.5 g/L ( p < 0.001), and concurrent alcohol and psychoactive substance use ( p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for an accident. Smoking >20 cigarettes/day was an independent risk factor for unfitness to drive ( p < 0.01). Unfitness to drive was based primarily on ethyl glucuronide levels >30 pg/mg. Our results suggest a detailed assessment of DUI subjects with variables associated with accidents (BAC > 1.5 g/L and concurrent intake of psychoactive substances). Hair analysis, including ethylglucuronide (EtG) concentration, should be always performed. Based on our results, nicotine use should be investigated in cases of driving license regranting.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF UNSOLVED DRINKING PROBLEMS FOR DUI DRIVERS REFERRED FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION IN SWITZERLAND

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
M. De Cesare ◽  
V. Jomini ◽  
R. Selz ◽  
P. Mangin ◽  
P. Vaucher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Drinking Problems ◽  
Medical Evaluation ◽  
Drinking Problem ◽  
Driver's License ◽  
First Time ◽  
Swiss Institute

Estimate the proportion of heavy DUI offenders who do not initiate a treatment for their drinking problem before referring to an official medical expertise to recover their driver’s license. Evaluate the proportion of offenders with drinking problems who became abstinent during 6 months within two years after their offense and their characteristics.Between January 2010 and December 2012, data were collected from 1316 consecutive drivers who were referred to an expertise in a legal medicine Swiss institute to recover their driver’s license after driving under the influence of alcohol. 153 offenders were included in the analysis after excluding patients under the influence of other recreational drugs and patients unfit to drive for other medical reasons. Heavy DUI were defined as first time drunk driving offenders with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ≥2.50 g/kg, or second-time drunk driving offenders within five years with BAC ≥1.60 g/kg in five years, or third-time drunk driving offenders within ten years with BAC ≥0.80 g/kg. 28 subjects of 153 (18%) were considered fit to drive. The rest of the drivers (125, 82%) were considered unfit to drive (drinking problem 77, dissociation alone 48). The majority of offenders (46,4 %) had driving under the influence of alcohol 2 times in the last five years with BAC ≥ 1.60 g/Kg, 65 (42.5%) had BAC ≥ 2.5 and the rest had 3 or more drunk driving offenses. The criteria used for medical and/or psychological assessment are appropriate.

4. Are a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 256mg/dl and Minimal Signs of Impairment Reliable Indications of Alcohol Dependence?

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
A W Jones
Keyword(s):  
Expert Witness ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Lower Court ◽  
Dna Profile ◽  
Court Of Appeals ◽  
Driving Scenario

This article describes a drink-driving scenario where a woman was apprehended for driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 256mg/dl1 The correctness of this result was vigorously challenged by a medical expert witness for the defence, who was actually a specialist in alcohol diseases. Despite reanalysis to confirm the BAC as well as a DNA profile to prove the identity of the blood specimen, the woman was acquitted of the charge of drunk driving by the lower court. However, she was subsequently found guilty in the High Court of Appeals with a unanimous decision and sentenced to four weeks imprisonment. This case report illustrates some of the problems surrounding the use of expert medical evidence by the defence to challenge the validity of the prosecution evidence based solely on a suspect's BAC. In situations such as these, an expert witness should be called by the prosecution to clarify and, if necessary, rebut medical and/or scientific opinions that might mislead the court and influence the outcome of the trial.

scholarly journals Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Relationship of Alcohol-Related Injury and Perceived Driving Under the Influence from Hours of Exposure to High Blood Alcohol Concentration: Data From Four US National Alcohol Surveys (2000–2015)

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 564-570
Author(s):  
Cheryl J Cherpitel ◽  
Edwina Williams ◽  
Yu Ye ◽  
William C Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Predicted Probability ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Aims To analyze racial/ethnic disparities in risk of two alcohol-related events, alcohol-related injury and self-reported perceived driving under the influence (DUI) from hours of exposure to an elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Methods Risk curves for the predicted probability of these two outcomes from the number of hours of exposure to a BAC ≥ 0.08 mg% in the past year were analyzed separately for whites, blacks and Hispanics in a merged sample of respondents from four US National Alcohol Surveys (2000–2015). Results Hours of exposure to a BAC ≥ 0.08 showed a stronger association with perceived DUI than with alcohol-related injury for all racial/ethnic groups. Greater risk was found for whites than blacks or Hispanics for outcomes at nearly all BAC exposure levels, and most marked at the highest level of exposure. Risk of both outcomes was significant for whites at all exposure levels, but small for alcohol-related injury. Little association was found for alcohol-related injury for blacks or Hispanics. For perceived DUI, risk for blacks was significantly elevated at lower levels of exposure, while risk for Hispanics was significantly elevated beginning at 30 h of exposure. Conclusions Findings showed racial/ethnic differences in risk of alcohol-related injury and perceived DUI from hours of exposure to elevated BAC. Risk increased at relatively low levels of exposure to a BAC ≥ 0.08, especially for whites, highlighting the importance of preventive efforts to reduce harmful outcomes for moderate drinkers.

Everything Is Bigger in Texas: Alcohol Impaired Driving in Houston (2014–2018)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corissa Rodgers ◽  
Melissa Lloyd ◽  
Peter Stout ◽  
Dayong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Public Safety ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Science Center ◽  
Impaired Driving ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Alcohol Impaired Driving

Abstract Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) poses a continued public safety risk in Texas, which has one of the highest alcohol impaired traffic fatality rates. This study aimed to identify alcohol and drug use trends seen in DWI/DUID cases in the city of Houston from 2014 to 2018 to better understand the populations at risk. Blood samples submitted to the Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) were evaluated for blood alcohol concentration (BAC), drug concentrations and demographics. During the 5-year period, 12,682 Houston driver blood samples had a mean (median) BAC of 0.151 g/dL (0.167 g/dL) and age of 36.3 (34) years. Fifty percent of samples were white males. Seventy-five percent of samples were individuals aged 21 to 44 years. Between 2014 and 2018, the number of cases submitted nearly doubled, from approximately 2,000 cases per year to over 3,700. In 2014, 23% of cases submitted required further analysis per HFSC testing policy (drug screen and confirmation for DWI/DUID cases when BAC &lt; 0.100 g/dL), which rose to 27% by 2018. Of those, 36% were polydrug cases, requiring two or more confirmation tests. Cannabinoids was the most common drug class detected (34% of cases analyzed for drugs), followed by benzodiazepines (25%), phencyclidine (20%), cocaine/metabolites (15%) and opioids (12%). Phencyclidine rose from the fifth-most commonly detected drug in 2014 to the second-most drug in 2018. Only 3% of all cases (n = 408) were negative for both alcohol and drugs. Communication between law enforcement and laboratory management is recommended to address growing caseload more effectively. The study limitations (e.g., limited scope of analysis) suggest the present data underestimated the full extent of impaired driving in Houston, indicating even more urgent needs for increasing resources and efforts to reduce this serious threat to public safety.

scholarly journals Differences between attendance in emergency care of male and female victims of traffic accidents in Porto alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 3925-3930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Forgiarini Saldanha ◽  
Flavio Pechansky ◽  
Daniela Benzano ◽  
Carlos Alberto Sampaio Martins de Barros ◽  
Raquel Brandini De Boni
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Care ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Porto Alegre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Significant Difference

Driving under the influence of alcohol/ drugs (DUI) is a well-established risk factor for traffic accidents, and men and women have different consumption patterns. The scope of this paper is to analyze differences in alcohol and drug consumption, as well as on behavior associated with traffic accidents among men and women. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 609 sequential traffic accident victims attended in emergency care from Porto Alegre. Subjects gave a structured interview, were breathalyzed and had a saliva test for alcohol/drug screening. Results showed that women were mainly passengers or pedestrians (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in positive blood alcohol concentration. However, men reported more binge drinking and THC use, while women had more benzodiazepine in their saliva (p<0.05). This is the first Brazilian study to compare alcohol and drug use among men and women who were the victims of traffic accidents. Results point to differences in the pattern of substance abuse, as well on risk behavior. Data may be useful for specific prevention strategies that take gender differences into consideration.

Driving Under the Influence: The Impact of Legislative Reform on Court Sentencing Practices

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney Kingsnorth ◽  
Michael Jungsten
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Plea Bargaining ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Bargaining Process ◽  
Legislative Reform ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Reckless Driving

In 1982, California introduced a number of revisions into its Vehicle Code sections dealing with the prosecution and sentencing of defendants charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. These revisions included redefining the relationship between blood alcohol concentration and criminal liability, constraints upon the plea-bargaining process, and an increase in the severity of penalties. An assessment is offered, based upon a random sample of 2,091 cases from one California county, of the impact of legislative reform on court sentencing practices. While the new law succeeded in eliminating “prior conviction” bargaining, the “reduction to reckless driving” form of bargaining, though initially substantially reduced, quickly rose again to prereform levels. Contrary to expectations, trial rates increased and rates of conviction at trial decreased. Problems of court congestion were exacerbated rather than relieved. The impact of increased penalties has been substantial for some offenders and for others negligible.

scholarly journals Positive drug test trends in fatally-injured drivers in the United States from 2007 to 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunday Azagba ◽  
Keely Latham ◽  
Lingpeng Shan ◽  
Fares Qeadan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Drugged Driving ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background The last two decades have seen tremendous changes in the U.S. environment surrounding drugs. Driving under the influence of drugs is a growing public health hazard. The present study examined trends in drug involvement in fatally-injured drivers in the U.S. Methods Data were drawn from the 2007–2017 Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Cochran–Armitage tests were performed to assess the statistical significance of changes in the yearly prevalence of positive drug tests in fatally-injured drivers over time. In addition, analyses were stratified by sex, race, and age. Results The yearly prevalence of positive drug tests in fatally-injured drivers increased significantly from 20.7% in 2007 to 30.7% in 2017, with results showing a higher prevalence among males, those aged 21–44, and Whites. The gap between Blacks and Whites narrowed in 2017. There was a decline in the yearly prevalence in all age groups between 2016 and 2017, although the decrease in the 21–44 age group was much smaller than other age groups. Among drivers who tested positive for drugs, 34.6% had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the threshold of per se evidence for impaired driving, and 63% had a BAC below the threshold. Conclusions Our results indicate that the overall yearly prevalence of fatally-injured drivers who tested positive for drugs increased significantly from 2007 to 2017, with similar results found for subgroups. Findings further highlight that drugged driving remains a public health priority, and more action is needed to stem this disturbing trend.

scholarly journals The effect of lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration limit on driving under the influence (DUI) in southern Taiwan: a cross-sectional retrospective analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e026481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chin Tsai ◽  
Shao-Chun Wu ◽  
Jin-Fu Huang ◽  
Spencer C H Kuo ◽  
Cheng-Shyuan Rau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Concentration Limit ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Helmet Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Southern Taiwan ◽  
Car Crashes ◽  
Motorcycle Crashes

ObjectivesWe aimed to profile the epidemiological changes of driving under the influence (DUI) in southern Taiwan after the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit was lowered from 50 to 30 mg/dL in 2013.SettingLevel 1 trauma medical centre in southern Taiwan.ParticipantsData from 7447 patients (4375 males and 3072 females) were retrieved from the trauma registry system of a single trauma centre to examine patient characteristics (gender, age and BAC), clinical outcome variables (Abbreviated Injury Score, Injury Severity Score and mortality) and vehicular crash-related factors (vehicle type, airbag use in car crashes, helmet use in motorcycle crashes and time of crash) before and after the BAC limit change.ResultsOur results indicated that the percentage of DUI patients significantly declined from 10.99% (n=373) to 6.64% (n=269) after the BAC limit was lowered. Airbag use in car crashes (OR: 0.30, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.88, p=0.007) and helmet use in motorcycle crashes (OR: 0.20, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.26, p<0.001) was lower in DUI patients compared with non-DUI patients after the BAC limit change, with significant negative correlation. DUI behaviour increased crash mortality risk before the BAC limit change (OR: 4.33, 95% CI 2.20 to 8.54), and even more so after (OR: 5.60, 95% CI 3.16 to 9.93). The difference in ORs for mortality before and after the change in the BAC legal limit was not significant (p=0.568).ConclusionThis study revealed that lowering the BAC limit to 30 mg/dL significantly reduced the number of DUI events, but failed to result in a significant reduction in mortality in these trauma patients.

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