The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has announced that they will start to inspect terminals and require PUV drivers to undergo random drug tests more often.

This is highly due to the increase in vehicular accidents in recent times. In fact, a total of 558 cases of road crash accidents have been recorded from January to August 2022 according to the report of the LTO Law Enforcement Service-Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Enforcement Unit (LES-ADDDEU).

What’s more is that 476 of these drivers tested positive for alcohol intoxication.

“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,” the LTO said.

This move is also in accordance to the Republic Act 10856 also known as the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, which pushes the random terminal inspections and drug testing of PUV drivers. The agency said that “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,” they added.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III also reminded the public to be more responsible and not to drink if you know that you will be behind the wheel as you are not only putting your life in danger, but other people’s safety as well. “

Time and again, we have all seen the disastrous consequences brought about by drunk or drugged driving, more importantly during the Yuletide season, [when] many families go out to celebrate and be merry,” he stated.

featured image courtesy of net25