Objective Several studies confirmed alcohol and psychotropic
drug consumption as important risk factors underlying fatal accidents. This
paper presents updated toxicological findings in the fatalities of road traffic
accidents of Amman district, in order to have an overall picture of the
occurrence of these substances in these victims in Jordan. Method Over a
seven-year period (2008–2014), 2743, autopsies were conducted at Jordan
University Hospital in which the sum of n = 311 (11.38%) were victims
of road traffic accidents. Blood samples from these victims were collected.
Toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and alcohol was conducted on these
samples, and the results were analyzed according to age, sex and victim's
status.
Results This study revealed that Alcohol and psychotropic drugs were
positive in 36.5%, (n = 58) of the cases, and for alcohol alone
(n = 13, 37.1%). The majority of the victims were pedestrians
(n = 155, 49.8%). Additionally, 29.6% (n = 92) of the cases
were of ages 19–29. Detected psychotropic drugs were benzodiazepines,
barbiturates. None of the collected specimens were positive for illicit
cocaine, amphetamines or cannabis.
Conclusions The results from this study
proved the existence of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in the victims of road
traffic accidents; Indicating an association between the uses of these
substances in accident involvement. Though having some limitations, other
conclusions require further data collection, cooperation with related parties
in Jordan, and utilizing simple extended toxicological screens.