Express bus operators urged to conduct urine test when recruiting drivers

All express bus operators have been urged to carry out urine tests on applicants for bus drivers to ensure drug-free drivers under their employment.

Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad hoped the RTD's proposal would be taken up by express bus operators as many accidents involved express bus drivers who drove under the influence of drugs.

"They (bus drivers) are carrying large numbers of passengers and have an extremely heavy responsibility," he told reporters after opening an RTD Day at the Seberang Perai Polytechnic, here today.

More than 1,100 RTD personnel nationwide are involved in the annual programme, held in Penang for four days beginning yesterday.

Ismail said from April 22 till Wednesday, the department had been working with the National Anti-Drugs Agency and the police narcotics division in conducting urine tests on 1,986 express bus drivers at 22 main bus terminals throughout the country.

He said from the total, 15 drivers were found positive for drugs and their driving licences were suspended immediately.

"Most bus drivers use drugs which are difficult to detect unless health checks are conducted monthly. We (RTD) are only screening drivers once a year when they renew their public service vehicle (PSV) driving licence.

According to RTD records, there were 9,000 registered express buses and the urine screening operation would continue to be conducted to ensure that such drivers were free from drug abuse.

Ismail said during the same period, 58 cases were discovered when the RTD inspected 3,345 express buses at Rest and Recreation areas nationwide.

"Other offences recorded included 22 cases of express buses not having a second driver, absence of log-book, non-maintenance of log book and 34 cases on technical problems," he said.