17 express bus drivers fail drug screening - RTD

Seventeen out of 2,000 express bus drivers failed the drug screening carried out by the Road Transport Department (RTD) in a nationwide operation from April 22 to May 5.

RTD director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said the operation in collaboration with the National Anti-Drug Agency covered the 22 main bus terminals in the country.

"Action has been taken against the drivers who tested positive for drugs and their licences have also been suspended," he said after closing the Peninsular Malaysia Road Transport Officers Union's Integrity Communication course here Wednesday.

Ismail said another 39 summons were issued against drivers who committed various offences while driving, during the RTD'S daily undercover operation.

He said 46 officers had posed as passengers in 302 express buses and nabbed drivers red-handed for various traffic offences, including using mobile phones and smoking while driving.

These operations, he said were conducted following the recent rise in express bus accidents with fatalities.

RTD also stepped up the inspection of vehicles from Thailand from April 24, he added.

"A total of 139 summons were issued against tourist vans entering our border for not having the required international circulation permit," he noted.