Drug, alcohol tests for intercity bus drivers

Drug, alcohol tests for intercity bus drivers

JAKARTA (JP): All intercity bus drivers working during the
festive season will have to undergo a series of tests before
getting behind the wheel in a bid to prevent reckless driving,
the City Land Transportation Agency announced yesterday.

The head of the agency's violation and supervision
subdivision, Oriyanto, said that testing will start today at the
city's four major bus terminals.

"The tests will be the first ever held in Jakarta."

He said a team of doctors will conduct the checkups, which
include urine tests and an external physical examination.

"One of the main purposes of the tests is to make sure the
drivers are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

Oriyanto said the agency decided to conduct tests after a
significant increase in traffic accidents in recent years due to
drunken and reckless driving.

"Most of the accidents happened because the drivers were
sleepy, drunk or under the influence of drugs."

Police data revealed that accidents nationwide had claimed
6,295 lives and injured 12,112 people in the first nine months of
this year, compared to 5,634 fatalities and 10,529 injured people
in the same period last year.

Oriyanto said that 8,500 drivers had been assigned to
transport an estimated 1.26 million travelers during Christmas,
the Ramadhan fasting month and Idul Fitri holidays.

The agency has set aside 7,801 buses to accommodate the annual
exodus of people who plan to spend the festive season in their
hometowns in Java and Sumatra.

He said testing would be conducted at the city's four
intercity bus terminals: Kampung Rambutan and Pulo Gebang in East
Jakarta, Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta and Kalideres in West
Jakarta.

The agency will also perform roadworthy tests for vehicles at
the terminals and certain posts along intercity routes.

"If a bus is going on a long trip, there must be a mechanical
checkup so we can make sure the vehicle is safe."

As part of the crackdown on reckless drivers, the agency and
the City Public Order Office have conducted joint operations
since last month to prevent the sale of liquor in kiosks
operating in and around the bus terminals.

"I tell you it's difficult to crack down on drivers' drinking
habits. Usually, after a long trip, they want to relax by having
a drink. This kind of behavior must be stopped," Toha Reno, a
public order official, said.

Toha, who heads the office's public order and entertainment
subdivision, said there was a need for a standby driver, who
could take over the wheel if the main driver became fatigued.

"Judging from the (Idul Fitri) exodus earlier this year, many
drivers were worn out because they had to go back and forth from
one destination to another.

"Because of that, unauthorized drivers often showed up along
the route and took over the wheel. This is very dangerous. Who
would be responsible if there was an accident?"

In response to the unauthorized driver problem, Oriyanto said
his agency would order intercity bus companies to issue a driver
recommendation letter for its employees.

"The letter will at least be used as an identification tag to
prove that (the driver) is not an illegal driver."

"We may be able to control the drivers in terminals, but once
they're outside it's very difficult to do so. That is why
officers of related agencies should check thoroughly." (edt)