VietNamNet Bridge – More than 400 drivers of transport firms have tested positive for drugs and 1,400 others are not sufficiently healthy to drive, according to the Vietnam Road Administration.

A total of 127,000 drivers employed by transport firms in 59 provinces and cities were tested and had health check-ups under a decision made by the Ministry of Transport.

Only four provinces have not performed check-ups for drivers: Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Soc Trang and Vinh Phuc.

This agency says that there are still a number of provinces allowing transport firms to conduct health check-ups for drivers, so the results are incomplete, including the number of drivers who are drug addicts.

Lacking legal regulations dealing with drug-addicted drivers, the Vietnam Road Administration has asked the Ministry of Construction to instruct provincial Departments of Transport to revoke the driving license of these drivers for at least 24 months.

The drivers will have their driving licences returned when they test negative for drugs.

On February 28, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang asked relevant agencies to perform health check-ups for all drivers of transport firms around the country.

The decision was made after many fatal accidents occurred, caused by drivers who were drunk or were not in good health.

P. Lan