Drug test for drivers, passengers

Drug test for drivers, passengers

BANDUNG: An official with insurance firm PT Jasa Rahardja said
here on Monday that the company would deploy a mobile team along
the northern Java coastal roads and at several West Java bus
terminals to conduct drug and alcohol tests on drivers from Dec.
18 until Jan. 8, 2000.

The company's spokesperson Nina Fatimah said the decision to
send the mobile team, which will conduct urine and saliva tests,
was to curb the accident rate ahead of the upcoming Christmas and
Idul Fitri holidays.

"The test will be free of charge, including free distribution
of vitamins," Nina said.

The drug and alcohol test will be held from Dec. 22 until Dec.
31 at West Java's main bus terminals, namely in Leuwipanjang and
Cicaheum in Bandung, Baranangsiang in Bogor, Hardjamukti in
Cirebon and Banjar in Ciamis.

She said the police would ban drivers, proven to have been
using drugs or consuming alcohol from operating.

Last year's test involved 1,019 passengers and 245 drivers a
week prior to Idul Fitri. The results were negative. However,
official data recorded accidents involving 85 fatalities and 522
persons injured in the province before and after Idul Fitri.
(25/lup)