Pubdate: Mon, 08 Jan 2001
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  GPO Box 3771, Sydney NSW 2001
Fax: 61-(0)2-9282 3492
Website: http://www.smh.com.au/
Forum: http://forums.fairfax.com.au/
Author: Dr Lyndon Bauer
Note: Headline supplied by Newshawk

COULD DRUGS CAUSE ROAD DEATH RISE?

Random breath testing almost halved the road toll by getting intoxicated 
drivers off our roads. Seat belts and speed enforcement have also been 
effective, but nothing has matched the effect of getting intoxicated 
drivers off the roads.

An Australian insurance company survey found one in four male drivers under 
34 said they had driven under the influence of a recreational drug other 
than alcohol.

With the recent increases in road deaths paralleling the recent increases 
in illicit drug abuse, is anyone asking the obvious question: "Could 
intoxication with drugs other than alcohol be contributing to the increases 
in road deaths?"

Dr Lyndon Bauer, Ourimbah, January 4.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth