Police conduct urine tests on bus drivers<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
City police officers have finally began administering drug
\ntests for public bus drivers to determine whether they are
\nalcohol or drug users, after the program was delayed for about a
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
The Police Medical and Health Division started testing in
\nKalideres in West Jakarta on Tuesday by randomly choosing 30
\ndrivers and asking them for a urine sample.<\/p>\n
Testing was also conducted on Wednesday in Pulo Gadung bus
\nstation where 30 more underwent the examinations, the results of
\nwhich can be determined within five to 10 minutes whether their
\nurine contains illegal substances such as heroine, morphine,
\ncannabis and amphetamines.<\/p>\n
A breathalyzer test was also administered by police to
\ndetermine the amount of alcohol, if any, in the bloodstream.<\/p>\n
The Police Psychology Division also carried out psychological
\ntests on the drivers.<\/p>\n
The random tests will be held in four other main bus stations
\nin Jakarta - Kampung Rambutan and Rawamangun in East Jakarta,
\nLebak Bulus in South Jakarta and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
All drivers representing nine bus companies, with the worst
\nrecords for traffic accidents, will also undergo the test.
\nHowever the police did not identify the companies.<\/p>\n
The police planned to issue the tests last month to avoid
\ntraffic accidents during the busy holiday season, but it was
\ndelayed due to bureaucratic footdragging apparently.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Transportation recorded at least 113 bus
\naccidents in Java during Idul Fitri last year, claiming 119
\nlives.<\/p>\n
At least 78 percent of the accidents were determined to be
\ncaused by driver error while the other 22 percent were reportedly
\ncaused by vehicle maintenance problems.<\/p>\n
However, the effectiveness of the testing program was called
\ninto question since it only began four days ahead of Idul Fitri
\nand thousands of drivers had already left the city from several
\nbus terminals.<\/p>\n
The selection of drivers to be tested was made by city
\nadministration officials, and not by doctors who are more
\naccurate in deciding the drivers' health condition.<\/p>\n
During the last five days, at least 1,816 drivers had departed
\nfrom Pulo Gadung bus station alone, and approximately the same
\nnumber had also departed from Kalideres.<\/p>\n
\"I think their methods are woefully ineffective as a
\ndeterrent,\" a bus passenger, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-conduct-urine-tests-on-bus-drivers-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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