Abstract
The purpose of this review is to present an overview of roadside drug testing, driving enforcement, and drunk/drug driving detection around the world. Drunk and drug driving is a severe problem, not only in the UAE, but also around the world. This has important implications for road safety as drunk or drug driving may increase the chances of a driver’s involvement in a road crash when compared to a drug-free driver. Recently, due to increases in drug-impaired drivers’ crash involvement, many mobile roadside drug testing devices have been introduced to the market. These devices use oral fluid, urine or blood matrices. These are on-the-spot tests, which are easy to use and are applied by law enforcement agencies and the public. Law enforcement agencies most commonly use oral fluid to detect the presence of illicit drugs in drivers. This review discusses all the available devices in the market used by the authorities. It also describes the type of drugs widely abused by drivers along with behavioral testing methods. The different types of matrices used for roadside drug testing are also evaluated. Sample collection, storage, and pre-treatment methods are discussed, followed by the confirmatory analysis of positive samples. This article will significantly help law enforcement agencies compare and evaluate all the reliable roadside testing devices and new emerging confirmatory devices available to them in the market. This will help them make an informed decision on which device to adapt to their individual needs.
Highlights
In Dubai alone, 14.33% of crashes are caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol
Drunk and drug driving is a big problem around the world [1,2]
There are a number of debates about the types and sensitivities of roadside testing devices; current technologies can successfully be implemented on the roadside and can detect significant numbers of impaired drivers
Summary
In Dubai alone, 14.33% of crashes are caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol. The risk of driving under the influence of drugs does harm the drivers but can cause injury to others as well [2]. The consequences of legal and illegal psychotropic drugs concerning a reduced capacity to drive have been widely recorded. Analgesics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, cannabinoids, cocaine, and amphetamines are examples of psychoactive drugs that can cause these impaired effects [3]. Around 2% of drivers in Europe have admitted to using recreational drugs when driving. It was found that 28 to 53% of the drivers who have been seriously injured in accidents were under the influence of a psychoactive drug (mostly alcohol, medicinal, or recreational drugs)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
