a day ago
‘Blood tests preferred for vocational driving licence'
PETALING JAYA: Compulsory blood tests for drug abuse among commercial vehicle drivers should be done yearly to help identify habitual substance users and reduce the risk they pose to other road users, say experts.
Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh said blood tests for substance abuse should be included as part of the compulsory medical examination required to obtain a vocational driving licence.
He said as such tests may raise costs in the compulsory medical examination for commercial vehicle drivers, it should be conducted at government medical facilities such as public health clinics for free or for a small fee.
'To protect the chain of responsibility for road safety, it is best that the medical examination be conducted at government healthcare centres.
'There should be a mandatory blood test and not a urine test which can be tampered with.
'There should also be ease in taking the medical examination for the drivers without long waiting times,' he told The Star.
He said the authorities should act on drivers who have a record for dangerous driving.
'This can be ascertained by the number of summonses such drivers may have.
'If they are found with multiple summonses, their vocational driving licences such as goods driving licence (GDL) or public service vehicle (PSV) licence should be promptly suspended.
'These drivers should be made to undergo a rehabilitation course before the suspension is lifted,' Suret said.
Negri Sembilan Lorry Operators' Association treasurer Alvin Loke also backed the proposal for compulsory drug screening and said that such medical examinations should be conducted at public healthcare facilities.
'This is due to rising costs and the wages of drivers that have been stagnant for a long time. Such tests may be costly and unaffordable for the drivers.
'Currently, drivers pay between RM10 and RM50 for the annual medical examination which is required to obtain a vocational licence,' he said.
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said compulsory drug tests on prospective heavy vehicle drivers are necessary.
'If heavy vehicle drivers are under the influence of drugs, they will certainly pose a serious threat to other road users.
'I urge the relevant authorities to make the requirement compulsory,' he said.
Additionally, Lee said the drug tests should not only be done prior to the driver's employment.
'Random drug tests should also be conducted to ensure the drivers are drug free,' he said.
Lee also proposed that the wages scheme for drivers be changed.
'They should not be paid according to trips. They should be given a fair salary compatible with the work that they do for eight hours.
'That way, they will have sufficient rest,' he said.
Lee said those who are paid according to trips have the tendency to make more trips in order to earn more.
'Unfortunately, to stay awake, many of them take drugs. It is actually one of the causes for drug taking on the part of drivers,' he said.
