Drink and substance abuse for Nigeria’s commercial drivers

Worrying data has been revealed by a study of bus drivers in Nigeria’s mega-city and commercial centre, Lagos. The research revealed that 39% or 781 of the 2,002 bus drivers tested drive while under the influence of alcohol. Also revealed was the fact that 940 of the drivers have visual impairments, with 13% having been given special glasses. And 22% of the drivers, 441, tested positive for either marijuana or cocaine use (and in some instances both). In addition, 30% of the drivers (601) were revealed to b
October 4, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Worrying data has been revealed by a study of bus drivers in Nigeria’s mega-city and commercial centre, Lagos. The research revealed that 39% or 781 of the 2,002 bus drivers tested drive while under the influence of alcohol. Also revealed was the fact that 940 of the drivers have visual impairments, with 13% having been given special glasses. And 22% of the drivers, 441, tested positive for either marijuana or cocaine use (and in some instances both).

In addition, 30% of the drivers (601) were revealed to be hypertensive. The study was carried out as part of the Lagos State Motor Park Health and Safety Initiative programme. The study tested drivers from Under Bridge Motor Park and Alaagba Motor Park at the Iyana Ipaja Area. Following the study, Lagos State is toughening its campaign against alcohol and substance abuse amongst drivers. The study also highlights a more widespread problem in Nigeria, which has serious safety issues on its road network and with drink and drug use common amongst drivers.

Related Content

  • Cost effective road maintenance
    February 8, 2012
    Highway maintenance and repair is an easy target for cuts in highway budgets, but there are cost-effective measures that can be adopted as Patrick Smith reports. Road maintenance is an increasingly important industry that spans a worldwide market. Awareness of the need for a stable and sustainable international infrastructure, maintenance and creative rural road technologies are taking a stronger role as viable sources for a cost-effective means of preserving, developing and prolonging the life of roads wit
    Read More
  • Road trains project saves space as well as fuel
    February 23, 2012
    A high-tech European project involving cars could reduce fuel consumption by up to one-fifth as Patrick Smith reports. A new EU project, Sartre, is aimed at developing and testing technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways.
    Read More
  • Certified safe: ARTBA president talks future highways and safety
    January 16, 2020
    What keeps Dave Bauer* up at night? David Arminas caught up with the head of ARTBA at his Washington D.C. office during daylight hours
    Read More
  • Challenging Colombian tunnel completed
    May 30, 2024
    A tunnel stretch on Colombia’s Santa Fe - Cañasgordas highway is complete – Mauro Nogarin reports
    Read More

Highlighted Content