AT least one in every two commercial
bus drivers, popularly called Danfo drivers, now use hard substances and drive
under the influence.
The state government, in a recent study by the state ministry of health, said
the use of Cocaine, marijuana, and intoxicating brands of alcoholic mix are
growing pastime among drivers, upon whom movements of people and goods solely
depend.
Findings conducted in three major motor parks revealed that of the 801
commercial bus drivers tested for hard drugs, 442 tested positive to cocaine,
marijuana, morphine, opiate, ketamine and others.
The prevalent rate, being 55 per cent of the total sample, is an increase from
similar finding in 2012, put at 13 per cent.
The tests were carried out in
Mosafejo, Mushin and Oshodi/Obalende Motor parks in December 2014.
The Lagos Traffic Law 2012 prohibits the use of all drugs and alcohol in motor
parks.
A similar test in 2013 revealed that out of the 434 commercial bus drivers
tested for hard drugs, 74 of them drive under the influence of cocaine, marijuana
and others.
In 2012, of the 820 drivers screened for hard drugs intake, 215 tested
positive, which represents 13 per cent.
Also, many commercial bus drivers also tested positive to alcoholic intake
while commuting passengers across the State.
The test conducted in three motor parks in December 2014 showed that of the 929
drivers screened, 202 of them tested positive to using alcohol while driving,
which represents 22 per cent.
In 2013, of the 440 commercial bus drivers tested for alcoholic intake, 226 of
them tested positive, representing 51 per cent, while in 2012, of the 885
drivers tested, 215 proved positive to alcoholic intake while driving.
The study showed that the 930 commercial bus drivers screened for diabetes and
hypertension in 2014, at least, 220 of them were positive.
In 2013, of the 576 screened for the
same ailment, 130 proved positive, while in 2012, at least, 233 of the 959
screened tested positive to diabetes and hypertension.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, the Motor Park Health
and Safety Programme was an initiative of the Health Ministry, aimed at
reducing the prevalence of road traffic accidents by ensuring the safety of the
drivers, passengers and other road users.
He said the Motor park Health and Safety Programme was initiated in 2012 to
address the high number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents. He
disclosed that till date, 1,985 commercial bus drivers and other transport
workers have been screened.
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