P01-331 - Limit of blood alcohol concentration: a major problem to solve in Nigeria

Abstract

A country often referred to as the giant of Africa up till now lacks a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC). South Africa and Zimbabwe are the few African countries that have determined their BAC level. On the average in Nigerian roads approximately 50% of accidents are related to alcohol use. This problem is largely due to the inadequate, as well as absence of regulatory guidelines on blood alcohol concentration. For decades, the problem of deciding the limit to which blood alcohol concentration must not be exceeded to avoid legal offence has been a major issue in this country. There is evidence that lowering the permitted limit of which BAC must not be exceeded to avoid legal offences to a great extent reduces the risk of alcohol involvements. The Road Traffic Act, Federal, Highway Act, and the Federal Road Safety, Commission Decree which are legislations that presently apply to Federal highways does not state the specific legal limit of intoxication. Most countries have set their BAC limit at 0.2-.8 mg/ml level. As a result of the high rate alcohol associated accidents in Nigeria, and to prevent human right abuse, it is of urgency to determine a BAC legal limit. Nigerian scientists, the Federal Road Safety Commission must step up research activities, awareness programs/campaign to reduce various incidences of illegal alcohol intoxication.