Drunk driving has been a stubborn menace on Nigeria’s roads, claiming thousands of lives every year. Traditional enforcement, like breathalyzer tests and roadblocks, often falls short, either because of limited resources or because offenders find ways to evade detection.

Also Read: Fight Against Auto Theft: FRSC Recovers 35 Stolen Vehicles in Six Months

But now, a groundbreaking Nigerian-led study published on arXiv in September 2025 suggests a futuristic yet practical solution: using mobile phone sensors to detect alcohol-influenced driving behavior.

By analyzing data from accelerometers, GPS, and gyroscopes in everyday smartphones, researchers demonstrated that it is possible to spot abnormal driving patterns linked to intoxication. This innovation could revolutionize how Nigeria and other countries combat road crashes caused by drunk driving.

The Study at a Glance

The research team collected a driving dataset in Nigeria, monitoring motorists under different conditions. Using smartphone sensors, they tracked:

• Sudden swerves
• Harsh braking and acceleration
• Lane deviations
• Speed fluctuations inconsistent with traffic flow

The AI model trained on this data achieved 100% recall, meaning it successfully flagged all instances of drunk driving in the test scenarios. However, its precision was about 60%, suggesting it also flagged some false positives.

While still in early stages, these results show that mobile phones could play a vital role in early detection and prevention.

Why This Matters for Nigeria

Nigeria ranks among countries with the highest road traffic fatalities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 6,700 Nigerians die yearly due to alcohol-related road crashes. With road safety stretched thin, low-cost innovations like mobile sensor technology could provide an affordable safety net.

Unlike costly breathalyzers or checkpoint operations, this solution requires no extra gadgets, just the phones most drivers already carry.

How It Could Work in Practice

1. App Integration: Drivers install a safety app linked to FRSC databases.
2. Real-Time Monitoring: The app detects irregular driving (zigzagging, sudden stops).
3. Alerts: If suspected intoxication is detected, the system could send warnings to the driver, emergency contacts, or even FRSC patrols.
4. Data Logs: In the event of crashes, the data could help investigators establish cause.

Expert Voices

Dr. Chika Eze, a transportation technology researcher, explains:

“Smartphone-based detection can act like a ‘digital breathalyzer’, passive, affordable, and always on. While not perfect yet, it could save countless lives on Nigerian highways.”

Meanwhile, FRSC officials welcome the idea but warn of privacy challenges. Corps Commander Felix Okoye noted:

“We must balance innovation with citizens’ right to privacy. Data sharing will require strict legal frameworks.”

Challenges and Concerns

• Privacy: Who owns and monitors the collected driving data?
• False Positives: Innocent drivers may be flagged due to potholes or bad road conditions.
• Network Connectivity: Many rural areas lack strong internet signals for real-time monitoring.
• Adoption Rates: Would Nigerian drivers willingly download and use such an app?

RoadKing Analysis: Could This Work in Nigeria?

Nigeria’s roads present unique conditions from pothole-ridden highways to poorly marked lanes. These could easily confuse detection systems. However, the study provides an exciting first step.

If combined with:

• Improved road infrastructure
• Public awareness campaigns
• FRSC partnerships with telecoms

…mobile phone sensors could become a game-changer in reducing alcohol-related crashes.

What Motorists Can Do Today

• Avoid driving after drinking, use taxis or ride-hailing apps.
• Install driving safety apps that monitor behavior.
• Support FRSC initiatives by volunteering for tech-driven pilot programs.
• Educate peers on the dangers of drunk driving, it’s not just about avoiding fines, it’s about saving lives.

Conclusion

The fight against drunk driving in Nigeria is far from over, but technology is offering fresh hope. From FRSC checkpoints to cutting-edge smartphone AI, every step counts.

This new study shows that with innovation, determination, and public cooperation, Nigeria could one day drastically cut down alcohol-related fatalities.

Until then, the message remains clear: Don’t drink and drive.

It’s a common sight on Nigerian roads: a driver balancing one hand on the wheel while the other clutches a phone, eyes darting between the road and a glowing WhatsApp chat. In Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and beyond, this behavior has become normalized, even among commercial bus and truck drivers.

Also Read: Why Distracted Driving is Overtaking Speeding as the Leading Road Killer

But the cost is devastating. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), distracted driving with phone use as the leading cause contributed to over 5,000 crashes in 2023 alone.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies mobile phone use while driving as a major global road safety risk, increasing the likelihood of accidents by up to four times.

This article explores the deadly dangers of phone use while driving in Nigeria, why the habit persists, and what must be done to curb this rising menace.

1. Why Drivers Keep Using Phones Behind the Wheel

Despite awareness campaigns, many Nigerian motorists continue to use phones while driving. Reasons include:

• Overconfidence: Many believe they can multitask, unaware of how quickly distraction can lead to disaster.
• Cultural Normalization: It’s common to see drivers on calls at checkpoints, in traffic jams, or even at highway speeds reinforcing the idea that it’s “not that serious.”
• Weak Enforcement: Although the law prohibits phone use while driving, enforcement is inconsistent. Drivers often bribe their way out of fines.
• Work Pressure: For commercial drivers, missing a call might mean losing customers or business opportunities.
• Tech Addiction: With WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok driving social interaction, the urge to respond instantly is irresistible for many.

2. How Phone Use Distracts Drivers

Phone use creates three kinds of distraction:

• Visual Distraction: Eyes leave the road to check the phone.
• Manual Distraction: Hands leave the wheel to dial, type, or scroll.
• Cognitive Distraction: The driver’s mind focuses on the conversation, not the road.

Even a 2-second glance away can be fatal at 100 km/h your car travels the length of a football pitch blind.

Fact Check: The FRSC warns that texting while driving is as dangerous as driving blindfolded for 5 seconds.

3. The Deadly Consequences on Nigerian Roads

The effects of phone-related distraction are severe:

• Rear-End Collisions: Common in Lagos traffic, where drivers on phones fail to notice when vehicles ahead stop suddenly.
• Head-On Crashes: On highways like Abuja–Lokoja, distracted drivers often drift into oncoming lanes.
• Pedestrian Fatalities: Drivers using phones frequently ignore crossings, endangering schoolchildren and commuters.
• Commercial Vehicle Risks: When bus drivers and truck operators use phones, dozens of passengers or other road users are put at risk.

Case Example:

In June 2024, a tragic crash on the Enugu–Onitsha expressway claimed four lives after a driver lost control while texting. Witnesses reported the driver had both hands off the wheel moments before veering off the road.

4. Why Hands-Free Devices Are Not a Complete Solution

Many Nigerian drivers argue: “I’m safe because I use hands-free.” But studies show otherwise.

• Hands-free reduces manual distraction, but cognitive distraction remains.
• Conversations still divert mental focus away from traffic conditions.
• The WHO warns that drivers using hands-free are as impaired as drunk drivers in terms of reaction time.

Bottom line: Whether handheld or hands-free, phone use behind the wheel is unsafe.

5. Nigeria’s Laws Against Phone Use While Driving

Under the National Road Traffic Regulations (2012), using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, punishable by fines of ₦4,000 – ₦5,000, license points, and possible prosecution.

But the laws suffer from:

• Poor Enforcement: Officers cannot monitor every road.
• Bribery: Offenders often settle with ₦1,000 at the roadside.
• Weak Penalties: A ₦5,000 fine is too small to deter offenders, especially wealthier motorists.

In contrast, countries like the UK fine drivers up to £200 and add six penalty points enough to suspend licenses.

6. Human Stories: The Pain Behind the Numbers

Ngozi, a mother in Lagos:

“My son was hit by a car because the driver was on his phone. He survived, but his leg will never be the same.”

Ibrahim, a taxi driver in Kano

 “Sometimes customers insist I answer calls while driving. I refuse, but other drivers don’t.”

FRSC Officer in Rivers State:

“When we arrive at crash scenes, it’s heartbreaking to see a smashed phone on the dashboard proof of the last distraction.”

These stories reflect the real human suffering behind the statistics.

7. Solutions: How to Stop the Deadly Habit

Ending phone-related crashes requires a mix of enforcement, education, and technology.

1. Stronger Enforcement

• Deploy mobile courts to prosecute offenders on the spot.
• Introduce CCTV and AI-powered traffic monitoring to automatically fine violators.

2. Harsher Penalties

• Raise fines from ₦5,000 to ₦50,000.
• Add license suspensions for repeat offenders.

3. Public Education Campaigns

• Nationwide campaigns highlighting real stories of victims.
• Collaboration with influencers, churches, and mosques to spread awareness.

4. Employer Responsibility

• Companies should enforce “no-call while driving” policies for staff and transport contractors.

5. Personal Responsibility

• Use “Do Not Disturb While Driving” phone features.
• Pull over safely before making or answering a call.

8. RoadKing.ng Tips for Drivers

To protect yourself and others:

• Switch off or silence your phone before driving.
• If you must use it, pull over safely first.
• Avoid social media scrolling or voice notes while on the road.
• Remember: no call or text is worth a life.

Conclusion

The dangers of phone use while driving in Nigeria are not theoretical, they’re real, deadly, and preventable. Every time a driver chooses to text, scroll, or chat while behind the wheel, they gamble with lives, their own, their passengers’, and innocent road users’.

At RoadKing.ng, our message is clear: Put down the phone. Focus on the road. Arrive alive.

Every day on Nigerian roads, thousands of motorists set out with the hope of reaching their destinations safely. Yet, despite modern vehicles and stricter traffic laws, our highways remain among the most dangerous in Africa.

Also Read: UK Drivers Urged to Keep a Blanket in Their Cars

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria records over 40,000 road crashes annually, with human error accounting for more than 85% of these accidents.

The truth is clear: bad roads and faulty vehicles are factors, but the biggest threat to road safety in Nigeria is driver behavior. From reckless speeding to ignoring basic traffic rules, many motorists unknowingly put themselves and others at risk.

In this article, RoadKing.ng breaks down the 10 most common mistakes Nigerian drivers make and provides practical tips on how to avoid them.

1. Overspeeding

Overspeeding is the number one cause of fatal accidents in Nigeria. Many drivers believe reaching their destination faster saves time, but in reality, it often leads to disaster.

• Why it’s dangerous: Higher speed reduces reaction time and increases crash severity.
• How to avoid it: Always obey speed limits (100km/h for highways, 50km/h in towns). Use speed limiters if you’re a commercial driver.

2. Wrong Overtaking

On Nigeria’s single-lane highways, wrong overtaking is a silent killer. Drivers often attempt to overtake without clear visibility or in heavy traffic.

• Why it’s dangerous: Head-on collisions from wrong overtaking are usually fatal.
• How to avoid it: Only overtake when you have a clear view ahead and enough space to return safely.

3. Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol and drug use behind the wheel remains common, especially among commercial drivers.

• Why it’s dangerous: Impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and increases aggression.
• How to avoid it: Never drink and drive. FRSC’s Breathalyzer checks are increasing avoid risking lives and legal trouble.

4. Neglecting Seatbelts

Despite awareness campaigns, many Nigerians especially passengers still ignore seatbelts.

• Why it’s dangerous: Seatbelts reduce fatal injury risk by 45%.
• How to avoid it: Buckle up always, both as driver and passenger. Enforce it for everyone in your car.

5. Using Phones While Driving

From WhatsApp texting to voice calls, distracted driving has become a major menace.

• Why it’s dangerous: A few seconds of distraction at 100km/h can equal blindfolded driving across a football pitch.
• How to avoid it: Use hands-free devices or pull over before using your phone.

6. Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Many motorists drive with faulty brakes, bald tires, and dim headlights.

• Why it’s dangerous: Mechanical failures caused by neglect often result in avoidable crashes.
• How to avoid it: Adopt the 10 car maintenance habits highlighted in our previous RoadKing.ng feature.

7. Ignoring Traffic Signs and Lights

From running red lights in Lagos to ignoring stop signs in rural towns, traffic laws are often disregarded.

• Why it’s dangerous: Increases crash risk at intersections.
• How to avoid it: Respect traffic signals and road signs. Remember, they’re placed for your safety, not inconvenience.

8. Tailgating (Following Too Closely)

Impatience leads many drivers to tailgate, especially in city traffic.

• Why it’s dangerous: Leaves no room for sudden stops, causing rear-end collisions.
• How to avoid it: Maintain at least a 3-second gap between your car and the one in front.

9. Fatigue Driving

Long-haul drivers and night travelers often underestimate the dangers of drowsy driving.

• Why it’s dangerous: Sleepy drivers have slower reflexes, similar to drunk drivers.
• How to avoid it: Rest well before long journeys. Stop every 2 hours to stretch or nap if necessary.

10. Reckless Lane Changing

Many motorists switch lanes without indicating, especially in congested cities.

• Why it’s dangerous: Confuses other drivers and leads to sideswipe accidents.
• How to avoid it: Always use your indicator and check mirrors before changing lanes.

Why These Mistakes Persist

• Poor driving school standards.
• Corruption in licensing systems.
• Weak enforcement of penalties.
• Cultural habits of impatience and lawlessness.

Until attitudes change, Nigerian roads will remain unsafe.

How to Be a Responsible Driver

1. Take driver education seriously.
2. Respect traffic laws.
3. Practice defensive driving.
4. Keep your vehicle roadworthy.
5. Remember: driving is not just about you, but about everyone sharing the road.

Conclusion

Road accidents are not random events, they are the result of repeated mistakes. If Nigerian drivers can correct these 10 deadly habits, thousands of lives could be saved annually.

At RoadKing.ng, our mission is to keep reminding every motorist: “Safe driving is no accident, it’s a responsibility.”