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 Canh Ty Spring Festival 2020. Photo: Thanh Le

At the meeting of the Steering Committee for Passenger Transport for the New Year, Lunar New Year and Spring Festival of 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 inspections 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, Vinh 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.

Passenger transport companies need to prepare enough drivers and staff to meet the requirements of continuous service during Tet. When there is a mobilization order from the Steering Committee, 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, teams equipped with rapid testing machines should be established. 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 the authorities should revoke their driver's licenses.

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 uphold the spirit of responsibility to closely follow the plan and tasks to perform well the assigned tasks.

The Department of Transport coordinates with the Provincial Police to establish teams, strengthen coordination of forces to regularly inspect hot spots with the risk of traffic congestion, review contract vehicles, check "illegal" vehicles for handling; bus stations check vehicles and drivers; advise on establishing working groups to inspect drivers who use drugs and alcohol at bus stations; strengthen propaganda for drivers to strictly comply with the provisions of the law...