To ensure safety of the passengers travelling in public transport busses, the Thimphu Traffic Police has been conducting daily alcohol test. And it’s been a couple of months now.
Every bus driver, at the station, has to blow Alco Blower machine to test the alcohol content. If the machine gives a blue sign, which means no alcohol content is detected, the driver is allowed to proceed the journey. But if the machine produces red signal, the drivers will have to undergo further test and are not allowed to drive.
Police also advise passengers to inform the nearest police station if they find the bus drivers not complying with the traffic rules along the way.
“There are chances where drivers can drink alcohol on the way due to easy availability of alcohol,” said Major Yeshay T Phuntsho, Traffic’s Superintendent of Police. “Since we do not have enough personnel along the way, we request passengers to call directly to the toll free number- 113 or 111, if they find their driver using mobile phones, drinking alcohol or speed driving.”
Passengers, who are also briefed separately before the departure, say the initiative is very useful.
“Testing alcohol content of the drivers is really helpful,” said Phuba. “We now feel comfortable and confident to travel in the bus.”
The superintendent of police said the initiative could not be carried out in other districts due to budget constraint. But once they have the required equipment, he said it will be rolled out to other districts.
Every day, more than 40 buses travel from Thimphu to different places.
