oa Mandatory toxicological examination: controversies

The United Nations has declared the period from 2011 to 2020 as the Decade of Action for Traffic Safety. The World Health Organization indicates that in most Latin America countries, alcohol consumption is responsible for about 8% of all existing diseases. Worldwide 35% to 50% of all serious vehicule crashes are alcohol related (JORGE, ADURA, 2012-2013). Brazil has a practical system of control to catch drunk drivers, while the abuse of other substances while driving have passed unscathed. Legal and documentary research. Samples shall be taken from hair, or in cases of alopecia, fingernails to be used for screening the Radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay. In Brazil, the National Traffic Council determined a wide toxicology system of detection for consumption of psychoactive substances in the occasion of the medical exam to the obtainment of the professional driver’s license. The medical expert should consider the candidate unfit temporarily for vehicular driving, in case the examination accuses abuse of the following substances: marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, opiates, ecstasy or other substances that impair the drivers performance.The Brazilian Association of Traffic Medicine is against this resolution. Through an extensive review of the scientific literature, they could not find any study to justify the need of mandatory substance abuse assessment for drivers or applicants when undergoing the medical exam. The adequacy of this resolution is controversial. Currently, toxicological analysis of substances that alter the performance of the driver are used worldwide in addition to other actions such as checking the medical condition of the driver. A stricter control of the traffic laws should provide greater effectiveness in reducing road accidents.