International seminar research on alcohol, drugs and driving.

Abstract

Because of the difficulty in using the actual driving of automobiles on highways to measure driver impairment produced by alcohol and/or drugs, laboratory devices for this purpose were investigated. Both mental and motor performance were important to measure in terms of numbers for statistical evaluation. The delayed auditory feedback (DAF) system was adapted for mental performance under stress using verbal, arithmetic and a color discrimination test. Motor performance was measured by means of a pursuit meter (PM) utilizing a dual beam oscilloscope. The movement of one beam was adjusted by means of two function generators into a problem pattern. The subject controlled the second beam with a steering wheel and attempted to superimpose his controlled beam on the problem beam. Using a recorder with an integrating chanel the difference between the two beams could be recorded as an error. A “wobble board” was linked to an electronic counter and measured standing steadiness. These devices are sensitive to the impairment produced by blood concentrations of ethanol of 0.05 percent in some people. The effect of other drugs alone or in combination with ethanol have been evaluated using these devices.