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Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? - Car Talk - Nairaland

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Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by yusuf2(m): 11:39am On Aug 18, 2011

1. Accidents "auto crash" happen everyday, It's was destined by God  undecided
2. Bad Road

The two above statements are the most common reasons Nigerians tend to give when Auto accidents happen mostly ignoring the physiological or mental state of the driver(s) involved in the crash b4 it occurred. As much as i wld like to agree that the poor state of roads coupled with the fact that most Nigerian drivers don't take certain safety precautions/measures while driving are causes of most accidents, a drunk (under the influence of alcohol) person behind a steering wheel is as dangerous as driving a car without breaks. I'm very sure if statistics are to be taken, there would be a significant ratio of drunken driver related accidents as to other causes.

it's an irony to say that some Long distance drivers in Nigeria can't embark on a journey if they haven't taking alcohol, and u hear some people claiming they drive better when drunk  undecided

Yes, there are warning signs on our interstate highways about drunk driving, but the questions that lingers are

1. Is/are law(s) against drunk driving in Nigeria?
2. If there is/are, who is/are in-charge of enforcing it/them?
3. what is/are the penalty(ies) of a convicted offender?

from my little research, In the US for example, an accident doesn't necessarily have to occur b4 one is charged and convicted of drunk driving (DUI), a driver going above a certain speed limit is stopped by a traffic police and if the officer suspects the driver is under the influence of alcohol, he/she is subjected to a sobriety (blood alcohol level)  test, he/she is tagged an offender if he/she fails the test.

i'm not comparing the US with Nigeria, but this is not a very complex task to achieve, i mean, why should people's life's be wasted just because one driver thought it was ok to move a vehicle in his/her drunken state? 
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by cinzo: 11:52am On Aug 18, 2011
No it is not a crime It is the work of the DEVIL grin
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by gulfer: 1:01pm On Aug 18, 2011
@Yusuf, like the constitution and all laws in Nigeria, implementation is selective. I have seen an acting governor's escort team and drivers drinking heavily at a party with the governor and 1st lady scheduled to be transported/escorted back to state house,  How much worse could it get? Road safety has a penalty of a paltry N5,000 in their offences and penalties table, So what else but a horde of drunk drivers on our roads. GOD help us.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by Nobody: 2:39pm On Aug 18, 2011
I carried out a similar research 2years ago on road safety in west africa using Ghana and Nigeria as case studies based on the fact that they both have the highest gdp hence highest number of cars on west african roads.
Nigeria is a real jungle. Frsc or whatever they are called are very useless. I hope they merge them with the traffic section of the Nigerian police soon as there is no point wasting limited resources on the ageny. Nigeria has no alcohol limit when it comes to driving, even if there was, how is it gonna be enforced. The only thing frsc are good at is arresting drivers not using seat belt while driving. You can obtain a drivers licence with 2000 naira. Their research department is horrible. I obtained much traffic data from the ghanaian road safety agency, they are years ahead of Nigeria in transport engineering/road safety. The few traffic data i obtained on Nigeria were from trl UK and trb, US.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by sley4life(m): 7:24am On Aug 21, 2011
its not a crime in Nigeria but it should be. Our cops hardly identify that. All they are interested is their pocket
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by TenKobo1: 7:29am On Aug 21, 2011
There is no active DUI law in Nigeria as far as am concerned. Go to the motor parks and see how the drivers soak themselves with the harshest kind of gin you can find anywhere in Gods' planet. Some will even tell you that they cannot move the car an inch if they are not high on substances. Herein lies the witches that slaughter Nigerians everyday in pothole ridden highways that are already death traps even without the alcohol.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by marcus1234: 7:56am On Aug 21, 2011
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by obailala(m): 8:46am On Aug 21, 2011
The Nigerian police or FRSC dont even have a means of testing the alcohol level in drivers undecided
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by manmustwac(m): 9:59am On Aug 21, 2011
Bookmarked
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by okooyinbo(m): 11:04am On Aug 21, 2011
Overwhelming majority of the drivers dont even know the road safety laws. The rule of law is non available in Nigeria. Nigeria is about the survival of the fittest in all ramifications of life. Even if there is law against drunk driving, there would be lack of implementation. The people who are suppose to execute the law dont even know it, talkless of the drivers. If you do not know that the person in a roundabout has the right of way, how would you know that it is against the law to drink or use drug when you drive? Nigeria is really a BIG mess.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by Nobody: 12:07pm On Aug 21, 2011
This thread is so right on point. Op kudos 2 u. I have also thot of it. The situation is in shambles and nobody seems to care. Safety measures should not be over looked. Most of all these drivers dont even have the basis driving techniques. So sad that the devil have to take the whole blame 4 any accident caused as a result of drunk driving without proper investigation 2 ascertain d cause.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by cold(m): 12:16pm On Aug 21, 2011
Nigerian DUI Laws
By Michael Wolfe, eHow Contributor


Nigeria has several laws related to driving under the influence.
Nigeria is infamous for having some of the most dangerous driving conditions in the world. A major oil-producing country, Nigeria's gasoline is exceedingly cheap, allowing many poor residents the ability to drive. However, the poor quality of Nigeria's roads, as well as the lack of enforcement of penalties against drunk driving, has led to a large number of accidents.

Driving under Alcohol/Drug Influence
According to the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Nigeria has a single law against drunk driving. Under the country's federal traffic code, all individuals who are under the influence "to the extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle" shall be penalized. However, as the article points out, unlike most other countries, Nigeria does not specify a specific blood alcohol level that individuals cannot surpass while driving. The authors of the article argue that this makes it nearly legally impossible for authorities to successfully prosecute an individual for drunken driving, as they have no legal definition of impairment.

Dangerous Driving
According to the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria's reigning authority on driving and traffic laws, the country also has a statute against "dangerous driving." However, like the law against drunken driving, this law is relatively subjective. According to Chinedu Vincent Akuta, writing in Nigeria's "Daily Sun" newspaper, authorities seldom enforce these laws, leading to a high number of accidents.

State Laws
While the federal law against the consumption of alcohol while driving is vague and poorly enforced, several Nigerian state governments have taken action to stem the accidents caused by drunk driving. According the African news website All Africa, in April 2010, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue state declared that local and national law enforcement officials had been authorized to penalize anyone who consumes alcohol at motor parks and attempts to operate a vehicle. However, alcohol consumption while outside of motor parks remained largely legal.

Reform
Calls both international and local have come for Nigeria to more strictly enforce their DUI laws. According to the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, the implementation of a law that clearly spelled out the legal blood alcohol content limit of drivers would lead to fewer traffic accidents. An opinion piece in the Daily Sun also calls for stricter penalties and the regular implementation of breathalyzer tests for drivers in accidents



Read more: Nigerian DUI Laws | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6850274_nigerian-dui-laws.html#ixzz1Vf2lKP00
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by MrEndowed1: 1:17pm On Aug 21, 2011
its not a crime in nigeria, unless the alcohol pushes you to kill or injure others.

for more info on this topic feel free to call up Ibinabo Fiberesima.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by SPIFF(m): 2:05pm On Aug 21, 2011
Crime? I do not think so. Few years back maybe 2003/2004. I was travelling with a work colleague along Kano - Maiduguri road. Stopped at the military check-point. Those guys searched the car boot found found out the guy had some strong expensive wine with moderate degree of alcohol in the range of 20-30%. The military guys were attracted and demanded for some. My friend and the military guys threw down the throat few cups. Those guys were happy and he left them with some of it. I just told my friend when we resumed the journey that you know you supposed to be arrested if what you just done happened in any advanced country for drunk driving. Here the military guys celebrated you for such offence.

So you see, it is not an offence.

1 Like

Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by IYANGBALI: 2:31pm On Aug 21, 2011
no it is not a crime we give awards and cash prize to them. oponu ode with stupid question
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by r231(m): 2:41pm On Aug 21, 2011
Thinking. . . . .
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by MMM2(m): 3:13pm On Aug 21, 2011
yes
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by nigerhead(m): 3:30pm On Aug 21, 2011
How can it be a crime when the Police men that are supposed to catch the DUIs are also under the influence of alcohol?

I really dont understand what the FRSC does anymore, maybe they are underfunded, they are not as ubiquitous as the Police and I can guarantee that they would also be underfunded massively, so how are they going to catch up with drunk drivers?
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by BABAODU: 3:31pm On Aug 21, 2011
How can Drunk Driving be a Crime in Nigeria When The So Called Police That Are Meant To Arrest A Drunk Driver Are Sometimes Drunk While On Duty Themselves
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by tlops(m): 5:58pm On Aug 21, 2011
IYA NGBALI:

no it is not a crime we give awards and cash prize to them. oponu ode with silly question

there is no need for the last part of your statement. It doesn't appear to be a crime to drink and drive in nigeria, so it is worth questioning.

OP, No it is not a crime (atleast doesn't appear so). Even police drink on duty. However, it will be nice if the govt can move to re-introduce the law, even introducing alco-lock vehicles for commercial drivers,
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by Nyntynplus: 6:09pm On Aug 21, 2011
D lawmakerz are drunker's so hw can it be crime nd who can ban who?
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by tainot2002(m): 8:45pm On Aug 21, 2011
Drunk while driving is a bad idea.Pls!
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by emmatok(m): 9:01pm On Aug 21, 2011
Drunk Driving is A Crime In Nigeria, Check the Criminal and Penal Codes.

But in Nigeria laws are created and not implemented.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by Freiburger(m): 9:22pm On Aug 21, 2011
obailala:

The Nigerian police or FRSC dont even have a means of testing the alcohol level in drivers undecided
thats just too bad.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by SirQuency: 9:49pm On Aug 21, 2011
Go to our parks and see for yourself the number of shots of ogogoro these commercial bus drivers gulp preparatory to their trips then you know how risky it is 2 patronize them.its high time govt made legislation to be enforced by the members of d road safety corps and police 2 dea decisivelyl wit culprits.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by Rastamann: 12:09am On Aug 22, 2011
Yes, it is crime but in Nigeria anything goes But when the police wants to do their job well, they will arrest and prosecute a drunk driver.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by sucessful1: 2:32am On Aug 22, 2011
This post has just proved that vast majority of 9ja citizens does not even know 9ja laws,

see them all saying no it's not crime to drink and drive in 9ja,it's a crime although the cops
are not doing their job well.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by yusuf2(m): 9:09am On Aug 22, 2011
sucessful1:

This post has just proved that vast majority of 9ja citizens does not even know 9ja laws,

see them all saying no it's not crime to drink and drive in 9ja,it's a crime although the cops
are not doing their job well.
i've got a soft copy of the Penal code and the 1999 Constitution, i've gone through them and there is no reference to Drunk driving, so except it was added during the recent amendment, i'd say my question remains on point.
IYA NGBALI:

no it is not a crime we give awards and cash prize to them. oponu ode with silly question
Was that necessary? undecided if u knew u cld not give a reasonable answer, cld'nt u just read and move along without posting?
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by KayDee4: 12:25am On Aug 23, 2011
Its the shortest shortcut to the graveyard.
Re: Is Drunk Driving A Crime In Nigeria? by E2noon(f): 8:23am On Jan 28, 2015
IYANGBALI:
no it is not a crime we give awards and cash prize to them. oponu ode with stupid question
aha so sure you just woke up from your slumber mtchew

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