Toluene-Impaired Drivers: Behavioral Observations, Impairment Assessment, and Toxicological Findings

Abstract:  Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent frequently abused for its euphoric and intoxicating properties. This report describes a series of six cases involving drivers arrested for driving under the influence who subsequently tested positive for toluene. Case data including driving behavior, physiological signs and symptoms, evidence of impairment, and toxicology findings were reviewed. Blood toluene concentrations in the drivers ranged from 12 to 45 mg/L (median 23 mg/L, mean 25 mg/L, SD 12.1 mg/L). All drivers were determined to be intoxicated, and displayed symptoms including balance problems, confusion and disorientation, loss of coordination, and inability to follow instructions. They also displayed horizontal but not vertical nystagmus, elevated pulse and blood pressure, and lower body temperature. These findings are consistent with prior reports that subjects with blood toluene concentrations above 10 mg/L are invariably under the influence and their driving skills are affected.     

道路交通事故死亡案例驾驶员损伤特征分析

目的针对交通事故中驾驶员和乘客的损伤,辨别驾驶员损伤的特征性改变,从而为交通事故中准确认定驾驶员提供科学的证据支撑。方法对2006—2014年间,黑龙江省垦区内126例汽车交通事故死亡案例数据进行回顾性研究,分析汽车事故死亡案例驾驶员损伤特征,探讨驾乘人员损伤的法医学鉴定要点。结果驾驶员颈部、胸部、腹部的损伤多见,可检见汽车部件所致特征性损伤。乘员仅头面部及四肢与汽车接触部位有特征性损伤,其他部位未检见可明确汽车部件所致特征性损伤。结论损伤部位、类型与死亡人员的驾乘身份有关。     

“醉驾入刑”前后扬州地区酒驾状况比对分析

目的 对“醉驾入刑”前后酒后驾驶案件情况进行对比分析,以阐述新的道路交通安全法实施以后酒后驾驶案件的发展趋势和特征。方法 对2009年1月到2013年4月扬州地区实际酒驾案件所占的比例、酒驾的月分布、车辆类型以及饮酒后驾驶和醉酒后驾驶所占的比重进行统计学分析。结果 2011年5月份之后,实际达到酒后驾驶的案件在涉嫌酒后驾驶交通事故案件中的比例有所减少,酒后驾驶在每月的分布渐趋一致,所涉及的车辆类型有所变化,醉酒后驾驶的案件数是饮酒后驾驶案件数的3倍左右。结论 新的《道路交通安全法》实施以后,扬州地区酒后驾驶案件的特征有了一定的变化,在实际的交通安全管理中,应根据这些现况,采取相应的措施。     

对“危险驾驶罪”的质疑

危险驾驶罪的设立,在刑事实体法和程序法上带来诸多难以解决的问题,如罪名增加与整个刑法条文的不协调以及取证难,现实中司法效果和社会效果也难以达到。建立立法科学的评估体系,完善并利用好现实的行政及司法资源,才是解决危险驾驶问题的妥善之策。     

Driving under the influence of amphetamine-like drugs

Scientific opinions differ whether the use of stimulants causes deterioration in driving skills. In 1857 of 8709 cases of driving under the influence of drugs, amphetamine-like drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylendioxyamphetamine) were present either alone or together with other licit or illicit drugs. In 338 cases, amphetamines were the only psychoactive substance group in plasma at mean, median, and highest concentrations of 0.18, 0.12, and 1.05 mg/L, respectively. A widespread opinion is that after the consumption of amphetamines, centrally stimulating effects with corresponding consequences on safe driving are expected. In contrast, many cases were observed that rather suggested an influence of centrally sedating substances when considering the psycho-physical conditions. Relations between concentration and effect could not be established. The apparent sedation is probably the consequence of sleep deprivation during an amphetamine binge and the after-effects of the drug.     

醉驾:“一律入刑”还是“区别对待”

如何合理划定"醉驾"犯罪圈的大小,"一律入刑"与"区别对待"两种见解存在实质性分歧。罪刑法定原则作为刑事司法不可逾越的屏障,司法机关应该通过"一律入刑"呼应其明确性要求,同时限制司法机关的权力扩张;主观主义与客观主义作为两种不同的解释方式,在实践选择的位阶上应该以文本映射的主观主义优先适用;刑法总分体系需要刑事立法与司法进行一体化贯彻,在刑事立法已然兼顾总则要求的前提下不能通过"区别对待"再次限缩分则罪名的适用范围;"一律入刑"的主张不违背宽严相济刑事政策的内在精神,刑事政策的刑法化要求刑事司法必须坚守这一法治立场。     

醉酒驾驶的规范理解及情景预防——以犯罪学为视角

刑法修正案八规定了“危险驾驶罪”,有关醉驾的刑法规范主要体现了刑法保护法益前移与抽象危险犯的立法精神。面对社会上日益严重的醉酒驾驶情况,运用刑法理论中的危险犯和法益侵害概念并不能有效达至减少风险的发生,确保交通安全的理想效果。超越规范层面的惩罚醉驾的政策性与风险防治因素,为犯罪学中的情境预防理论应用于保障社会公共安全提供了可寻的依据。从具体犯罪的预防出发思考减少行为人实施犯罪的机会,应用情境预防理论控制醉驾的发生是一条可行路径。     

醉酒驾车行为刑法适用之解读

如何正确理解和实施刑法修正案(八),需要做深入研究,从醉驾入罪的立法原因入手,对醉酒驾车犯罪的性质、构成要件进行分析;提出在司法实践中,应正确贯彻宽严相济的刑事政策,对醉酒驾车行为要结合犯罪情节进行刑法适用并要有机地与其他法律法规结合适用,从而做到对醉驾案件的公正处理,实现刑法对醉酒驾车行为的惩罚效果。     

A Polydrug Intoxication Involving Methoxetamine in a Drugs and Driving Case

Methoxetamine ((RS)2‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐(ethylamino)cyclohexanone)) is becoming a drug of interest among practitioners of forensic toxicology. In this case report, we describe the case background, standard field sobriety tests, sampling, and analysis of this drug in a whole blood sample as well as screening methods and analysis from a driver operating under the influence of intoxicating substances. Methoxetamine was isolated from the blood sample using mixed mode solid phase extraction. After elution and evaporation, the residue was dissolved in mobile phase (consisting of acetonitrile and aqueous formic acid) for analysis by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The case sample was found to contain clonazepam, 7‐aminoclonazepam, carboxy‐THC, Ddphenhydramine, and MDMA. The case sample was found to contain 10 ng/mL of the drug (methoxetamine) in whole blood. The results of this drug analysis and previous analyses are discussed in terms of this driver operating under the influence of drugs.