The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will adopt a proactive approach in conducting nationwide terminal inspection and quick random drug tests on drivers of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).
The effort is in accordance with Section 15 of Republic Act No. 10856 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, which calls for a nationwide random terminal inspection and quick random drug test of PUV drivers.
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. The LTO aims to help avert these incidents by preventing drivers under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs from operating a motor vehicle by confiscating their driver’s license and requiring them to undergo drug rehabilitation.
The LTO’s Law Enforcement Service – Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Enforcement Unit (LES-ADDDEU) said a total of 558 road crash incidents were recorded from January to August 2022, where August registered the highest number with 128 incidents, and a total of 476 drivers tested positive for alcoholic intoxication. Unfortunately, 17 fatalities and 281 injuries were recorded for the period mentioned.
Immediately, 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.
Under Section 5 of R.A. 10856, “it shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and other similar substances.” Section 7 of the same law also states the mandatory conduct of alcohol and chemical testing, including drug screening tests and if necessary, a drug confirmatory test, of motor vehicle drivers involved in motor vehicular accidents, especially if the accident caused the loss of human life or physical injuries.
The LTO again reminds the public not to drink if they have plans of operating a motor vehicle because it will be dangerous to both the driver and pedestrians, or even to other drivers.
“Time and again, we have all seen the disastrous consequences brought about by drunk or drugged driving, more importantly during the Yuletide season, where many families go out to celebrate and be merry. It is time that we change that mindset in order to avert the loss of life and property,” explains LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III.
