The Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) in collaboration with the Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) will carry out surprise drug tests for taxi and bus drivers in the country.
This is mainly to ensure drug, alcohol and tobacco-free public transportation service delivery. BNCA officials said driving under the influence of drugs not only hampers the work output of the drivers but more importantly put the lives of the passengers at risk.
“The type of drug test we conduct will be urine based sample. It will be done with attest kit which will detect about 10 different types of drugs, so drivers are required to provide urine samples,” said the Director General of BNCA, Phuntsho Wangdi.
He added, “Those who are found to be positive, we will have to assess them to determine the severity of addiction and then provide appropriate treatment response.”
Director General further went on saying drivers found to have taken drugs will be allowed to resume their only after they are treated and ensured they will not abuse drugs in future.
RSTA said, today, most road fatalities are due to human errors.
“Some drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs while some others drive beyond the required speed. These factors contribute to more accidents,” said Pemba Wangchuk, the Director General of RSTA.
As part of the initiative, more than 100 city bus drivers and conductors of Thimphu were sensitised yesterday. The Thimphu City Bus Service conducted the workshop. The participants welcomed the move. They are optimistic that the initiative of alcohol and drug tests will discourage motorists to drink or abuse drugs.
RSTA and BNCA plan to carry out similar drug tests for private vehicle drivers in the country.
