VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities have asked transport firms to periodically test drivers of container trucks for drug use in an aim to reduce the number of traffic accidents.

An inspector checks overloaded containers at a weighing station on Nguyen Van Linh Street in HCM City's District 7. Transport firms have been asked to test drivers of container trucks for drugs.

Speaking at a meeting on traffic safety related to container trucks yesterday (June 11), Le Dinh Tho, Deputy Minister of Transport, said the number of container truck-related accidents had risen recently.

Substandard drivers, who often speed or use drugs, are a main cause of accidents, according to Tho.

Most speakers agreed that drivers testing positive for drugs should be dismissed and their names blacklisted by authorities to make it difficult for them to find jobs.

Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Tran Huu Toan, of the Ministry of Public Security's Traffic Police Department, said many transport firms violated labour regulations.

They do not offer contracts to drivers and do not pay social insurance and health insurance. They also do not provide health check-ups or test driver's skills.

Nguyen Thanh Chung, director of HCM City's Department of Transport, said the Transport Ministry should regulate the number of container trucks run by each transport firm.

Chung emphasised that transport firms must also improve the process of employing drivers, and testing and issuing driving licenses.

Bui Van Quan, chairman of HCM City's Cargo Transport Association, said a number of transport businesses employed container-truck drivers with an F-class license. Such trucks require an FC-class license.

Overloaded container trucks are another problem on the roads.

At Cat Lai Port area in HCM City's District 2 and some places in District 7, many trucks stop to load more cargo after leaving from the ports.

Speakers at the meeting have asked the Ministry of Transport to install more weighbridges in HCM City to inspect overloaded container trucks.

Inspectors from various departments are also asked to enhance inspection of container trucks on major roads and throw the book at violators.

Last year, the country had nine road accidents related to container trucks.

However, there have been 22 such accidents in the first five months of this year, mostly in HCM City, Hai Phong and the provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, according to Tho.

Source: VNS