The World Health Organization estimates an annual toll of 1.25 million deaths from road traffic accidents (RTAs). Nigeria is said to have the highest rate of RTAs and deaths per 10,000 vehicles. Target 3.6 of Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aims for the reduction of RTA-related injuries and deaths by half. Few studies have explored the relationship of the driver’s health with crashes and severity thereof.
As part of its Shared Value and Care agenda in ensuring safety, the operator partnered with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the National Union of Road Traffic Workers, and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to screen drivers in three major motor parks in two major cities in Nigeria, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, to ascertain their health status and the effects of lifestyle risk factors.
Methodology
Health studies were performed in the Ojota (Lagos), Mile 3 (Port Harcourt), and Eleme (Port Harcourt) commercial and tanker driver parks. Consent was obtained from union executives to administer questionnaires to participants.
