Most Lagos Drivers are either Sick or Drive under the Influence of Drugs – Government

Information emerging from the office of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has revealed that the majority of drivers on the road in Lagos State drive under the influence of alcohol, hard drugs or are even unhealthy.

The honorable commissioner spoke at a news conference he co-addressed with his Transport counterpart, Mr. Kayode Opeifa. According to them, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, along with the Ministry of Transport, in a move to ensure safer highways within the city, organised a screening for commercial drivers.

They explained that of the 2,002 drivers screened so far, 781 were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol; 601 were found to be hypertensive; 441 were tested positive to psychotropic drugs, especially cocaine and marijuana and out of the 940 that were screened for visual impairment, 13 per cent had to be given special glasses. Overall, 1,945 out of the 2,002 drivers from different motor parks in Alimosho Local Government Area that were screened were not fit to drive.

On the part of the Lagos State transport commissioner, the accidents, which are recorded mostly on weekends on Lagos roads are caused by excessive drinking by motorists. That confirms that both private and commercial drivers are guilty of driving under the influence of intoxicants. He said the state government had intensified enlightenment campaigns in motor parks “to make awareness campaign effective because of its involvement in mass transportation of people to various destinations within and outside the state”.

Source: Thisday