hussien, R., george, S., Abass, H., Shaltout, E. (2025). Correlation between Drug Abuse in Drivers and Occurrence of Road Traffic Accidents. Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 23(2), 24-33. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.358068.1210
randa Hussien hussien; safaa M. george; Hager A. Abass; Eman Salah El-din Shaltout. "Correlation between Drug Abuse in Drivers and Occurrence of Road Traffic Accidents". Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 23, 2, 2025, 24-33. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.358068.1210
hussien, R., george, S., Abass, H., Shaltout, E. (2025). 'Correlation between Drug Abuse in Drivers and Occurrence of Road Traffic Accidents', Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 23(2), pp. 24-33. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.358068.1210
hussien, R., george, S., Abass, H., Shaltout, E. Correlation between Drug Abuse in Drivers and Occurrence of Road Traffic Accidents. Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2025; 23(2): 24-33. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.358068.1210
Correlation between Drug Abuse in Drivers and Occurrence of Road Traffic Accidents
1Professor of forensic medicine and clinical toxicology, Assiut University, Egypt.
2forensic medicine and toxicology at assiut university
3Assistant Lecturer of forensic medicine and clinical toxicology, Sohag University, Egypt.
4Department of forensic medicine and clinical toxicology
Abstract
Background: Illicit drug use significantly impairs brain functions—including perception, attention, balance, and coordination—thereby increasing the risk of severe road traffic crashes and fatalities. This study aimed to assess the relationship between substance use and injury severity among drivers in Upper Egypt and to identify the most commonly abused drugs to help establish future preventive measures. Subject and Methods: This cross-sectional study included drivers involved in road traffic accidents who were admitted to the emergency units of university hospitals in Aswan and Sohag, Upper Egypt, between January 1st, 2020, and January 1st, 2021. Data were collected on demographics, vehicle type, collision type, and injury patterns. Urine samples from 372 drivers were analyzed for tramadol, cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, morphine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol using multi-drug rapid dipstick tests. Results: All participants were male, with most aged between 26–35 and 36–45 years. A total of 71.8% tested positive for at least one drug, and 15.7% had evidence of dual-drug use. The most detected substances were cannabis (29.2%), tramadol (27.0%), and morphine (23.6%). Alcohol was not detected in any sample. Conclusion: This study highlights the widespread use of illicit and prescription drug substances among drivers, posing a significant risk to traffic safety. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved drug awareness programs, stricter traffic law enforcement, and expanded screening initiatives to reduce drug-related accidents.
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