NGHỆ AN – At least seven out of 700 drivers in the central province of Nghệ An tested positive for drugs, according to a report by the Tuổi trẻ (Youth) newspaper.

On Tuesday, Trần Anh Tuấn, head of the Department of Vehicle and Driver Control under the provincial department of transport, said that after two months conducting spot checks on some 700 local drivers, they detected seven cases of drivers using drugs.

More than 1,000 drivers from 20 transport enterprises in Nghệ An Province will receive general health examinations and compulsory drug tests, complying with new regulations issued by the Ministry of Health.

The process is being monitored by department officials, doctors and company representatives.

“To prevent drivers from exchanging urine samples, we have tightened management for the procedure. Health checkups help companies classify drivers, fire those who use drugs and prevent them from abusing banned substances,” he said

Nghệ An Province’s Department of Transport asked companies to report drivers’ health results and prohibit unqualified drivers from operating vehicles.

Those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases are not allowed to operate vehicles.

Lương Văn Bắc, director of Lộc Thuỷ Transport and Trade Company which offers transport services between Nghệ An Province and HCM City, said that drug tests are a part of their driver recruitment, while periodic health check-ups were also offered.  

The director said that any driver found to be using drugs would be fired.

In 2017, ten out of 1,485 checked drivers were expelled for using drugs in a similar campaign by the transport department and Nghệ An Province Automobile Transportation Association.

Last Wednesday, a container truck driven by Phạm Thành Hiếu hit 21 motorbikes waiting at a red light at the Nhựt Chánh junction in Bến Lức District of Long An Province, killing three people on the spot and injuring 18 others. One more person died en route to the hospital. Hiếu later tested positive for heroin and alcohol. – VNS