Drugs and driving: "zero tolerance" methodology of the salivary report of the Synlab laboratory and homologation criteria of the National Accreditation Entity

Abstract

The "Global Plan – Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030" by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the leading causes of road traffic accidents. Consequently, it is urgent for both governments and companies to establish laws, enforce regulations, and promote road safety education to reduce such incidents. The goal for 2030 is to halve the number of fatalities and victims of road traffic accidents caused by alcohol or drugs. In Spain, the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) and the National Road Safety Observatory regulate driving under the influence of psychoactive substances through the Road Safety Law and the Criminal Code, penalizing those who drive while impaired. However, there is no objective threshold to assess the impact of drugs on driving, so authorities rely on the observation of external signs. According to data from the DGT, one-third of road traffic fatalities exceeded the legal alcohol limit. One contributing factor is nightlife, which influences alcohol and drug consumption and consequently increases the risk of road traffic accidents. Additionally, being a passenger of a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs also raises the likelihood of becoming a victim, despite awareness campaigns, enforcement measures, and a general lack of public consciousness regarding the true severity of this issue. Finally, it is essential to implement specialized monitoring for reoffending, multiple-reoffending, or