SEREMBAN: The Transport Ministry will continue to tighten and expand the integrated operation on heavy vehicles including lorries to ensure that drivers comply with the rules and are not driving under the influence of drugs.
Its minister Anthony Loke said operations had previously been carried out by the Road Transport Department which targeted express and sightseeing bus drivers and found that many drivers tested positive for drugs.
"This is a problem that was taken seriously and we have launched an integrated operation in the last two months. We are now focusing on commercial and heavy vehicles... stricter operations will be held to ensure that drivers driving these heavy vehicles comply with the rules.
"Previously we targeted (operations) in some industrial areas and now we will expand it so that they are more careful," he told reporters after officiating the 20th Negri Sembilan DAP Ordinary Convention here today.
He was commenting on two cases of fatal accidents in this district recently involving two lorries and based on the police investigations, it was found that the drivers of the lorries were found positive for methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, Loke reiterated that action will be taken against the owner or operator of any company whose driver tests positive for drugs and causes an accident.
He said this is because company owners have a responsibility to ensure that their drivers do not abuse their license and position or commit traffic offences.
"Not only the driver (faces action) but the company owner, we have done this in the case of the excursion bus that overturned and claimed two lives on the road in Genting Highlands on June 29, where the driver and the company owner were charged in court for negligence," he said.– BERNAMA