3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) and Driving Impairment
Journal of Forensic Sciences November 1, 2001 Barry K. Logan, Fiona J. Couper 62 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) impairs driving ability through stimulant and mood-altering effects that disrupt psychomotor skills. A review of laboratory driving simulators, anecdotal reports, and case series, along with eighteen new cases of apparent MDMA-impaired driving (six with only MDMA in blood), found subjects commonly showed muscle twitching, body tremors, dilated pupils, slow pupillary light reaction, elevated pulse and blood pressure, poor balance and coordination, and profuse sweating. Five of six drivers given field sobriety tests performed poorly. No clear correlation existed between blood MDMA concentration and specific demeanor. The evidence indicates MDMA use is inconsistent with safe driving, and impairment may persist long after last use.