Police conduct urine tests on bus drivers

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

City police officers have finally began administering drug tests for public bus drivers to determine whether they are alcohol or drug users, after the program was delayed for about a month.

The Police Medical and Health Division started testing in Kalideres in West Jakarta on Tuesday by randomly choosing 30 drivers and asking them for a urine sample.

Testing was also conducted on Wednesday in Pulo Gadung bus station where 30 more underwent the examinations, the results of which can be determined within five to 10 minutes whether their urine contains illegal substances such as heroine, morphine, cannabis and amphetamines.

A breathalyzer test was also administered by police to determine the amount of alcohol, if any, in the bloodstream.

The Police Psychology Division also carried out psychological tests on the drivers.

The random tests will be held in four other main bus stations in Jakarta - Kampung Rambutan and Rawamangun in East Jakarta, Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.

All drivers representing nine bus companies, with the worst records for traffic accidents, will also undergo the test. However the police did not identify the companies.

The police planned to issue the tests last month to avoid traffic accidents during the busy holiday season, but it was delayed due to bureaucratic footdragging apparently.

The Ministry of Transportation recorded at least 113 bus accidents in Java during Idul Fitri last year, claiming 119 lives.

At least 78 percent of the accidents were determined to be caused by driver error while the other 22 percent were reportedly caused by vehicle maintenance problems.

However, the effectiveness of the testing program was called into question since it only began four days ahead of Idul Fitri and thousands of drivers had already left the city from several bus terminals.

The selection of drivers to be tested was made by city administration officials, and not by doctors who are more accurate in deciding the drivers' health condition.

During the last five days, at least 1,816 drivers had departed from Pulo Gadung bus station alone, and approximately the same number had also departed from Kalideres.

"I think their methods are woefully ineffective as a deterrent," a bus passenger, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.