Establish a team to check for signs of drug use among drivers during Tet

On the morning of December 16, the Department of Transport held a conference to deploy passenger transport services during the New Year, Lunar New Year and Spring Festival of Canh Ty in 2020. Photo: Thanh Le

At the meeting of the Steering Committee for Passenger Transport on New Year's Eve, Lunar New Year and Spring Festival Canh Ty 2020, responsibilities were assigned to each member to implement the plan, assign passenger transport operations to ensure traffic safety and comply with regulations on conditions for passenger transport business.

Accordingly, the Department of Transport is assigned to compile statistics, make a list of additional vehicles, and coordinate with bus stations to mobilize vehicles to clear passengers at bus stations. The Traffic Inspectorate coordinates with local authorities to strengthen inspection of traffic safety work.

The provincial police directed functional forces to be on duty, guide traffic flow on key traffic routes; strengthen control and handle violations of traffic safety and order.

Bac Vinh Bus Station, Railway Station and Vinh International Airport coordinate with functional forces to ensure security and order, post ticket prices, specific dates, times and schedules; proactively plan ticket sales and notify passengers.

For passenger transport businesses, it is necessary to prepare enough drivers and service staff on vehicles to meet the requirements of continuous service during Tet. When there is a mobilization order from the Steering Committee, the units must arrange vehicles to participate in Tet service in a timely manner.

Discussing at the conference, delegates suggested that the Department of Transport should coordinate with the Provincial Police to study the traffic flow into the inner city to avoid congestion, handle illegal vehicles that cause traffic safety problems, the situation of trading and encroaching on traffic routes; the situation of increasing and decreasing ticket prices to compete for customers, and have solutions to strictly handle drivers using alcohol, drugs, etc.

Health check for drivers. Photo: Thanh Le

Regarding the situation of drivers using drugs, Deputy Chief of Vinh City Police Hoang Duy Ha proposed that at bus stations, it is necessary to set up teams equipped with rapid testing machines. When drivers are found to be positive for drugs, measures will be taken to handle them. If they do not accept the results, a blood test will be performed. Drivers who test positive for drugs should request that the transport company terminate the contract, and at the same time, the authorities revoke their driver's license.

Deputy Director of the Department of Transport Nguyen Duc An emphasized: Ensuring safety and convenience for people is the top priority. Photo: Thanh Le

Concluding the conference, Mr. Nguyen Duc An - Deputy Director of the Department of Transport, Head of the Steering Committee for the Canh Ty New Year 2020 emphasized: Ensuring safety and convenience for people is the top priority for people to have a peaceful New Year. Therefore, members should uphold their sense of responsibility to closely follow the plan and tasks to perform well the assigned tasks.

The Department of Transport in coordination with the Provincial Police established a team, increased coordination of forces to regularly inspect hot spots with the risk of traffic congestion, reviewed contract vehicles, checked "illegal" vehicles for handling; bus stations reviewed vehicles and drivers; advised on establishing a working group to inspect drivers who use drugs and alcohol at bus stations; increased propaganda for drivers to strictly comply with the provisions of the law...