LTO: Over 600 drivers suspended for drugs, road crashes
A ‘barker’ guides drivers along a street in Manila in April 2024. Over 600 drivers have been suspended recently for failing drug tests or being involved in road crash incidents. — File photo by Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — Over 600 drivers were suspended for either testing positive for drugs or their involvement in road crash incidents, according to Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II.
“This is unprecedented in the part of LGU (local government units), 671 ang na-suspend na drivers (671 drivers were suspended), as of today,” Mendoza said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Of this figure, the LTO chief said, 574 drivers were suspended because of “road crash incidents resulting in slight physical injuries or death,” while 97 tested positive for drugs.
In line with this, Mendoza said they will form a team that will focus on drug and alcoholism issues involving drivers.
“Just to make sure we can handle hindi maging rampant itong drugs (so drugs will not be rampant) in the transport sector,” he said.
READ: Poe tells LTFRB, LTO to conduct regular random drug test on PUV drivers
Earlier, Sen. Grace Poe said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the LTO should conduct regular random drug tests on drivers nationwide, not just during holidays.
The senator made the pronouncement during the joint hearing of Senate committees on public services, public works, and finance before the Holy Week.
For its part, LTO conducted “random and surprise” inspections of buses as well as drug tests to ensure drivers’ mental and physical readiness for the Holy Week exodus.
