METHAMPHETAMINE AND DRIVING IMPAIRMENT

Following a review of the effects of methamphetamine on human performa nce, actual driving and behavior were evaluated in 28 cases in which d rivers arrested or killed in traffic accidents had tested positive for methamphetamine. The circumstances surrounding the arrest or accident were examined, together with any observations by the arresting office r regarding behavioral irregularities. The investigators also made a d etermination of culpability. Most of the arrests resulted from acciden ts in which the driver was determined to be culpable. Typical driving behaviors included drifting out of the lane of travel, erratic driving , weaving, speeding, drifting off the road, and high speed collisions. Behavioral manifestations of methamphetamine use in arrestees include d rapid or confused speech, rapid pulse, agitation, paranoia, dilated pupils, violent or aggressive attitude. Combined alcohol and methamphe tamine use was uncommon, however use of marijuana was evident in about one third of the cases. In addition to impairing judgment and increas ing risk taking, the effects of withdrawal from methamphetamine use in cluding fatigue, hypersomnolence, and depression are likely contributo rs to many of these accidents. A consideration of the literature and t he cases discussed here, leads to the conclusion that methamphetamine at any concentration is likely to produce symptoms that are inconsiste nt with safe driving.