ALOR SETAR: A tour bus driver was detained after testing positive for cannabis during a special screening operation conducted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Kedah JPJ director Stien Van Lutam said the 45-year-old man was detained after the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) conducted an urine test on him, as part of the crackdown on tour and public transportation vehicles, at the Hutan Kampung Toll Plaza (northbound) at about 4am yesterday.
“The suspect was driving 42 passengers from Penang to Thailand and he was also found to have a history of drug-related offences,” he said.
The suspect was detained under Section 3 (1) of the Drug Dependents (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 while the tour bus continued its journey with the second driver.
During the exercise, which kicked off yesterday, a total of 1,116 vehicles were inspected and of these, 138 faced enforcement action and 329 notices were issued for non-compliance to road safety rules and regulations, reported Bernama.
Stien said three motorcycles and a bus were also seized while six express buses were subjected to action under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482).
The common JPJ offences included driving without a licence, expired driving licence, expired road tax, technical faults and no vehicle insurance.
Offences under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) involved not using a licensed tour vehicle or the services of a licensed tourist guide.
Stien stressed that the JPJ regarded these offences seriously and will not tolerate any violation by drivers of tour buses and public service vehicles.
“We are taking action not to inconvenience the public, but to ensure that road accident and fatality rates are reduced. In addition, we want to ascertain the safety of passengers and other road users and will continue these operations regularly,” he added.
