Lagos State Government has threatened to prosecute and jail any motorist found to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, saying that not less than 441 drivers have so far tested positive to marijuana and cocaine usage in the screening recently conducted by the state government.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who threatened sanctions against erring motorists at a news briefing yesterday, said the state government was not relenting in educating drivers on dangers associated with consumption of alcohol while on the wheels.

According to him, “So far we have screened 2002 drivers with the following results obtained; 781 were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol; 601 were found to be hypertensive; 441 were positive to psychotropic drugs, especially cocaine and marijuana; 940 were screened for visual impairment and 13 percent had to be given special glasses”.

The commissioner said given the grave consequences of driving under such influences, the state government had no option than to invoke section 21, subsection 1 of the state traffic law which prescribes a conviction fine of N100,000 or two years imprisonment or both on the offenders.

Idris lamented that road accidents have become one major cause of deaths in the country, noting that the state government cannot achieve the desired health indices if it ignores the menace of deaths by road accidents.

He said,” Alcohol and substance abuse have been documented as a cause of road traffic accidents and several studies have shown that an intoxicated driver is a danger to himself , his passengers and other road users.”

Idris said a major breakthrough was recently recorded in the sensitisation campaigns in the motor parks against irresponsible driving with a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Guinness Nigeria Plc.

He added that the partnership by both parties is geared towards changing people’s attitude to alcohol to reduce the menace of harmful consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Also speaking, the state commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa lamented the number of accidents recorded mostly over the weekend on Lagos roads caused by excessive drinking by motorists.

He explained that government is focusing on motor parks to make the awareness campaign effective because of its involvement in mass transportation of people to various destinations within and outside the state.

Opeifa explained that the new Road Traffic Law was meant to return sanity and ensure discipline among the road users.

abujub: you made them like that is it not the same govt, due to its


failure

abujub: you made them like that is it not the same govt, due to its


failure

SlyIg: SPACE FOR SALE PLS!

afam4eva: Hmmm...are they gonna jail or deport these ones too?

stillwater:

So you won't own it on yourself not to constitute yourself as a nuisance to the public and yourself because afterall the government didn't provide incentives for your comfort? That is why I like my religion. At the end of the day you are responsible for your own actions. I don't know how people who lament they are suffering but instead of using the money to buy better food or invest in small business, would rather buy psychotic drugs and beer. Height of misplaced priorities!

Okija_juju: So!! How do they do the testing?! Being found positive for Marijuana or cocaine is not an offence the last time hecked, but rather possession is.. So the police would be stopping people at random and taking blood samples or what?! This is rubbish at its finest.. Alcohol you can check using the breathelizer machines, but cocaine requires blood testing, blood testing requires consent or a warrant.. How would the government also stop hypertensive drivers?! Does fashola know that even cough syrup is a harzardous drug for drivers?! So how would the police know the difference between a visually impaired driver and a well sighted driver?!



_{our leaders can sabi reason like plumbers sometimes..}