The Transport Ministry has made it mandatory for express bus drivers to undergo daily urine tests at bus terminals, after a string of bus accidents, with at least one accident involving a driver who tested positive for drugs.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the decision was reached at yesterday’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Bus Accident.
“Prior to this, we only conducted urine tests on express bus drivers during festive season, but now we will do it on daily basis to ensure that each bus driver is fit to drive,” he told reporters after chairing the meeting.
He said the tests, which will involve 8,600 bus drivers, will be jointly conducted by the Road Transport Department and the National Anti-Drug Agency. Drivers who do not pass the test will have their licences suspended immediately.
The Malay Mail Online also reports that Aziz confirmed that the committee meeting agreed to enforce the compulsory use of seat belts for all bus passengers from January 1, 2015; the safety star rating system for all express bus companies would also be introduced on July 1 of this year; the installation of global positioning systems (GPS) on all express buses is to be inforced in two months; and a new curriculum for driving schools would be introduced on June 1 this year.
See Also: Six ‘dangerous’ routes off-limits to double-decker buses; Bus accident: one British national killed, 39 injured
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