Digital Screening for Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in a Southern Nigeria City

Objective. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was digitally determined for transport operators, passengers, and pedestrians in a southern Nigeria city.

Methods. The subjects were screened with a digital breathalyzer, Alco Scan CA 2000, for BAC along major accident-prone highways, resting spots, and hospitals. The mouthpieces were complemented with disposable straws for rapid and hygienic screening of the subjects.

Results. Based on convenience sampling, a significant proportion of Nigerians has a BAC level above 0.06 on accident-prone highways (44.60%), at resting spots (54.50%), and in hospitals (47.80%).

Conclusion. This research confirms that digital breathalyzer BAC levels are reliable and empirical means for determining incidents of alcohol-impaired driving.

Keywords:

• Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
• Impaired Driving
• Road Traffic Accident (RTA)
• Transportation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author is grateful to the Save Accident Victims Association of Nigeria (SAVAN at www.savan.org) for their moral and financial support.