MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will intensify its inspection of land terminals and administer random drug tests on drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) as part of its mandate to ensure the safety of road users.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, the LTO said the effort is in accordance with Section 15 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10856, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.
“This is part of the LTO’s objective to ensure the safety of road users, especially the riding public, so they will not become victims of road crash incidents,” it said.
Drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will have their driver’s license confiscated and will be required to undergo drug rehabilitation.
From January to August this year alone, a total of 558 road crash incidents were recorded by the LTO’s Law Enforcement Service – Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Enforcement Unit (LES-ADDDEU).
During this period, a total of 476 drivers tested positive for alcohol intoxication, resulting in 17 fatalities and 281 injuries.
“The LES-ADDDEU placed the driver’s licenses of the drivers involved in these incidents who tested positive for alcoholic intoxication under alarm and preventive suspension for 90 days pending the issuance of an LTO resolution to determine the administrative sanctions and corresponding penalties that will be imposed on the violators,” it said.
Section 5 of RA 10856 states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and other similar substances.”
On the other hand, Section 7 of the law mandates the conduct of alcohol and chemical testing, including drug screening tests and drug confirmatory tests of motor vehicle drivers involved in motor vehicular accidents, especially if the accident caused the loss of human life or physical injuries. (PNA)
