‘Random drug tests better for drivers’

Compulsory drug tests won’t be helpful in detecting drug users among bus drivers, the president of the Cebu South Minibus Operations Association said last Tuesday.

“It’s better to have random roadside drug tests because it’s transparent and erring drivers will be caught unaware,” said Julie Flores, association president in the recent 888 News Forum.

Flores said the bus passengers should cooperate during random drug tests since it is for their own good.

For their part, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it is waiting for the implementing rules of Republic Act No. 10586.

RA 10586 or the Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs and other Similar Substances was signed last May 27 by President Benigno Aquino III.

“A lot of people died due to accidents caused by drunk drivers or drivers high on drugs. They have criminal liability,” LTO-7 chief Raul Aguilos said in Cebuano. The LTO, police and local traffic enforcers are mandated to conduct sobriety tests on drivers.

Aguilos said traffic enforcers are required to use a breath analyzer (breathalyzer) to determine the blood alcohol concentration level of a person.

Penalties range from three-month imprisonment and fines of P20,000 to P80,000 if the violation didn’t result in physical injuries and P100,000 to P200,000 if the victims were injured.

“If the violation involves homicide, the fine goes up to P300,000 to P500,000,” Aguilos said. He urged the public to report violators on the LTO’s Facebook page.

Aguilos admitted that their office cannot issue new plate numbers and stickers for the new vehicles because their central office has a problem with their suppliers.

He said the plate modernization program that would change the plate numbers will have a new design following record car sales in 2012.

The program would happen within five years during the renewal of plate numbers.

Aguilos said that the new plate numbers will have a one way special screw so owners cannot dismantle it without the LTO’s consent.

Once the program takes effect, there will be no commemorative or special plates to be given to private owners. Correspondent Christine Emily L. Pantaleon