A study of drink driving in Lagos – from the perspective of law enforcement officers

This study describes the 'lived experience' of drink driving in Lagos from the
perspective of law enforcement officers. The study explored the reasons why
Lagosians/Nigerians drink and drive and focuses on law enforcement officers'
perceptions of driving under the influence of alcohol, the challenges they face and
how they meet the challenges.
The research adopts a phenomenological approach both in terms of its orientation
and its design and methods. The participants in the study were all adults: two
commercial drivers, two health workers, and nine members of the public took part in
semi-structured interviews. Fifteen law enforcement officers took part in focus group
discussions and twenty eight law enforcement officers took part in semi-structured
interviews; they were all serving male officers.
Data collection took place in Lagos state/Nigeria in two phases; in the first phase the
data collection took place over a period of two months. In the second phase, the data
collection took place over a period of six months and this included compilation of
field notes, and participant observation at motor terminuses (parks) and at the stop
and search road blocks set up by law enforcement officers throughout Lagos state. A
total of 56 digital tape recorded interviews were carried out during the field work.
Through the process of hermeneutic interpretation, themes were identified and used
to describe perceptions of the phenomenon of driving under the influence of alcohol
and the structure of the 'lived experience' of law enforcement officers.
The findings illustrate how wider cultural, economic and social factors impact on law
enforcement officers` perceptions of their roles and on their ability to carry out their
responsibilities effectively. They emphasise the importance of role legitimacy,
feelings of role adequacy and the need for role support to establish a strong
professional identity within the police forces. The findings also revealed problems
arising from the structure of the police force and from the internal uncertainties within
the profession regarding roles and responsibilities in relation to driving under the
influence of alcohol enforcement.
The research raises questions about drink driving policy and highlights the need for a
strong enforcement policy and for better deterrent measures to be taken against
offenders. It also emphasises the need for educational campaigns about the dangers
of driving under the influence of alcohol, and the establishment and enforcement of
maximum legally permissible blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels for drivers.