Bus drivers to undergo drug tests for Undas

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications and its attached agencies, along with the Department of Health, will conduct drug tests at various terminals in a bid to ensure the safety of passengers who will be going to the provinces for All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days, also known as Undas.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Winston Ginez said the inter-agency drug testing of bus drivers and conductors will be done from today until Saturday. 

Drivers who test positive for illegal drugs will be penalized for violating Republic Act 10586, the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, Ginez said.

Under the law, a driver found to have been driving while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs or similar substances shall be penalized with three months’ imprisonment, a fine of P20,000 to P80,000, or both if the violation did not result in physical injuries or homicide.

But if the violation resulted in physical injuries, the driver will be penalized with a longer prison term and a fine of P100,000 to P200,000. If the violation resulted in homicide, a fine of P300,000 to P500,000 shall be imposed.

The government is also urging operators of provincial buses to have their drivers and conductors undergo drug testing before they are deployed.

Ginez urged commuters to report erring drivers to the agency’s new 24/7 hotline number, 1342.