Factors Influencing the Use and Abuse of Drugs by Commercial Drivers: A Case of Commercial Drivers in Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Significant number of road accidents can be attributed to drug use and drunk driving globally. The increase in the number of road traffic accidents in a report by the Ghana National Road Safety Commission, calls for a review of drunk driving in the country. The study was conducted to determine the types and use of drugs by drivers in Ghana. This will determine the social and cultural factors that influence drug driving. Methodology: We developed and introduced a self-administered questionnaire using a sample of 300 questionnaires. These were administered and carefully edited to ensure some level of consistency, clarity and reliability in the information gathered. Purposive sampling approach was used in the selection of commercial bus stations and cargo stations of selected regions depending on the locations of these stations and the population of vehicles. Backward elimination regression model-building technique was used in the selection of significant variable(s) into a fitted logistic regression model. Five percent statistical level of significance was required for a variable to stay in the model. Results: Commercial bus drivers who responded or participated in this study were male adults within the active age and forty one percent were illiterate. About, thirty four percent of these commercial drivers admitted to using drug when driving and seventy percent of these drivers learned how to drive from unapproved driving institutions. Educational levels of these drivers, hours used to drive, how the commercial drivers were trained and distance they traveled were the most significant variables associated with the use of drug by commercial drivers. Conclusion: In conclusion, there exists significant association between Levels of educational, distance traveled, time used in driving and drug Use by these commercial drivers. Drunk driving is a major threat to the development of Ghana. This threatens our transportation industry and measures ought to be taking to address this problem.