Traffic > Drunken driving and drugs > Drug abusers in traffic

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    • Drug abusers in traffic
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Drug abusers in traffic

Being under the influence of illegal drugs or legally prescribed or non-prescription pharmaceuticals can impair a driver’s coordination, awareness, judgement, decision-making and functional ability. Cannabis causes grogginess and reduces the ability to judge distances and speed. Amphetamines make drivers take unnecessary risks, causes aggressive behaviour and reactions typical of an unstable mental state. Hallucinogenic substances cause hallucinations and panic reactions.

Pharmaceuticals marked with a red triangle may impair a driver’s observation skills, coordination, balance, and reaction speed. The most commonly misused pharmaceuticals are tranquillizers and sleeping pills.

Finnish drug abusers often have a multiple intoxicant dependency: use of more than one drug is common, and many also mix tranquillizers and alcohol.

The National Public Health Institute examines all specimens from drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicating substances.

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