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

  • $100 million for Nigeria’s coastal highway
    July 15, 2025
    A $100 million funding package is destined for Nigeria’s coastal highway.
    Read More
  • Increase in US pedestrian deaths in 2022
    March 8, 2023
    New data shows an increase in US pedestrian deaths in 2022.
    Read More
  • Nigeria key connection from Lagos to Ibadan
    November 28, 2016
    Work on one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, the A5 route connecting Lagos with Ibadan, is close to completion. Lagos and Ibadan are two of the largest cities in Nigeria and as the distance between the two is comparatively short at 128km, the highway carries heavy traffic. The tender process for the project was won by Julius Berger Nigeria in 2013, with the work being handled in two sections from Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange and from the Sagamu Interchange to Ibadan. Work on the project was halted temporar
    Read More
  • Drink driving a concern for the UK
    August 28, 2019
    The rate of road crashes from drink driving remains a serious concern in the UK. In 2017, there were 220 road deaths in the UK attributable to drink driving, according to the latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT), the same as for the previous year. However, there were 1,110 crashes caused by drink driving, an increase from the 1,010 from the previous year. In all, there were 8,600 deaths and serious injuries from road crashes in 2017, a drop from the 9,040 of the previous year but still hig
    Read More

Highlighted Content