Frequency of alcohol and substance abuse observed in drivers killed in traffic accidents in Hamadan, Iran.

Human factor is one of the most important causes for traffic accidents. This study has been designed to determine the presence of alcohol and drug abuse among drivers killed in car accidents in Hamadan, Iran during a one year period. This study was conducted as a post-mortem series design. Forensic autopsies were performed on all drivers killed in car accidents who were referred to the Hamadan Medico-legal Center. Alcohol and drug abuse was evaluated in these drivers. Of the 106 drivers killed in car accidents, 98.1% were male. Most were 20-30 years of age. In the majority of cases (83%) the toxicologic tests were negative. Higher level of education (diploma and higher) was related to higher alcohol or drug abuse compared with those whose educational status was less than a diploma (46.7%) or those who were illiterate (16.5%; Chi-square: 7.13; P = 0.008). There was a remarkable difference between drug or alcohol abuse and season. The majority of substance abusers were in the summer (n = 13, 59.1%); the least were in the spring (n = 2; 9.1%). This study shows that alcohol and drug abuse, in particular opiates, could be important factors in traffic accidents in Hamadan, Iran.