– A total of 239 drivers and conductors have tested positive for prohibited drugs under a mobile drug screening program carried out in the Western Province, the National Institute of Transport Medicine said today

Chairman Professor Clifford Perera said 5,242 drivers and conductors had been screened since the program was launched in November last year, with those who tested positive being referred for legal action.He said driving under the influence of drugs remains a major cause of road accidents, leading to deaths and serious injuries, and stressed that drivers must be free of drugs while operating vehicles.Professor Perera also said the mobile drug testing program will be expanded island-wide before the end of this year, while the number of inspections is expected to double as part of efforts to improve public transport safety.Meanwhile, transport authorities urged passenger transport operators to ensure that only drug-free and qualified drivers and conductors are employed, warning that drug-impaired driving poses a serious risk to public safety.

Speaking at the same media briefing, National Transport Commission Chairman Eng. P. A. Chandrapala said driving under the influence of drugs violates passengers’ right to travel safely and could also affect a person’s eligibility to obtain or retain a driving license.He urged transport operators to ensure that those engaged in both primary and secondary passenger transport services are free from drug use.

Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority Chairman Gamini Jasinghe said there are around 11,000 passenger transport drivers and conductors in the province. While acknowledging the public perception that many transport workers use drugs, he said the mobile testing program was introduced to identify offenders rather than unfairly stigmatism the entire sector.National Council for Road Safety Chairman Eng. Manjula Kularatne said the mobile inspection unit is part of the country’s long-term road safety action plan and will continue to be expanded to protect lives and property.