Ethanol is the most frequently detected drug in deaths from all causes, particularly
traffic and labour accidents. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of
alcohol among drivers involved in fatal road traffic accidents between January 1990
and December 2007, by presenting the requests and ethanol results of the road traffic
accidents autopsies, from the Pathology Service of the Centre Branch of the National
Institute of Legal Medicine and from a Legal Medicine Office. In the Forensic Pathology
Service and in the Office a total of 9409 and 1219 autopsies were performed, respectively,
3095 and 336 on road traffic accidents victims. Ethanol analysis was requested only in
54.5% and 75% of the road traffic accident cases, with 31% and 47% positive results,
respectively. The major percentage involved concentrations over the maximum limit
legally allowed (1.2g/L), being this undoubtedly present in males with ages between
21 and 30 years-old. Research has identified alcohol as a significant factor related to
traffic accidents and this has led to specific legislation and methods of enforcement to
prohibit this form of impaired driving