Half of drug drivers involved in fatal collisions in France were also over the drink drive limit

New data from France confirms the large overlap between drink and drug driving in fatal collisions.

Among the 439 drivers that tested positive for drugs after being involved in a fatal collision in 2017, half (224) also had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level above the legal limit in France of 0,5 g/l. The proportion is similar for non-fatal collisions.

The figures were published in the latest road safety annual report from France’s national road safety observatory.

The injury risk of drugs combined with alcohol is comparable to the risk of alcohol consumption alone at a BAC of 1.2 g/l. or above, according to the DRUID project on drug driving.