Every day in Port Harcourt, thousands of residents entrust their lives to commercial drivers. Whether it is a trip to work, school, or the market, passengers board buses and taxis expecting to arrive safely. Yet, a disturbing reality continues to play out on many of the city’s roads: drivers consuming alcohol moments before getting behind the wheel.
The sight has become so common that many barely react to it anymore. At motor parks and roadside bus stops, commercial drivers can often be seen purchasing sachets of alcoholic drinks, tearing them open and swallowing the contents in the presence of passengers before starting their vehicles. What should raise alarm has gradually become a norm.
Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and affects concentration these qualities, a driver cannot afford to lose while transporting human lives. Yet these drinks remain readily available around transport hubs, with little attention paid to who is buying them and for what purpose.
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The consequences extend beyond the driver. Every intoxicated driver on the road becomes a potential threat to passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
While poor roads and speeding are frequently blamed for accidents, the role of alcohol consumption among commercial drivers is often overlooked despite its obvious dangers.
There is an urgent need for stricter enforcement of drunk-driving laws, routine checks at motor parks, and greater accountability within transport unions. Equally important is public awareness. Passengers must stop treating the issue as normal and begin demanding safer transportation.
Road safety is a shared responsibility, but the government must lead the charge. Until the culture of drinking and driving is confronted head-on, many Port Harcourt residents will continue to place their lives in the hands of drivers whose judgment may already be impaired before the journey even begins.
