HARIPUR: The local police have planned to ban drug addict drivers of public transport vehicles to prevent road accidents.

District police officer Dr Zahidullah Jan told mediapersons here the other day that a background investigation into the growing incidence of deadly road accidents had showed that besides the violation of traffic rules, drug addiction by drivers was also to blame for it.

He said the police had begun a campaign to protect the vulnerable users of public transport vehicles and roads from accidents.

The DPO said that during the campaign the blood of public transport drivers would be tested in collaboration of the health department. “Those found to be drug addicts will be banned from driving public transport vehicles,” he said.

Mr Jan said the drivers, who cleared the test, would be given a special sticker to paste on windscreens of their vehicles. He said he was hopeful that the campaign would significantly reduce the incidence of road accidents.

He also said the police were compiling the particulars of school van drivers to ensure protection of students from harassment.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2019