EDITORIAL - Street dangers

After conducting surprise drug testing on public utility vehicle drivers nationwide just before the start of Holy Week, authorities found that of 3,270 individuals tested, 94 were found positive for drug use.

Forty-seven of them were tricycle drivers, 19 were jeepney drivers, 13 were bus drivers, 11 were UV Express drivers, two were motorcycle taxi riders, one was a taxi driver, and one was a mini-bus driver.

The operators of the drivers proven positive now face a show-cause order before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned.

The good news is that only few of those public utility drivers tested positive for drugs use; 96 of 3,270 is just under 3%.

The bad news? Some of those who take the wheel of public vehicles, and thus becoming responsible for the safety and the lives of people, are using drugs.

But then again, we are sure not all drivers of public utility vehicles were able to be tested, so there is always the possibility that there are drivers of public utility vehicles out there who are using drugs, but were not found during the pre-Holy Week surprise drug testing.

When a driver takes charge of a bus, a jeepney a taxi, or even a motorcycle, the safety of other people ride on him. His actions and decisions can literally mean the difference between a safe ride or a risky one, even life or death.

Which is why he has to be of sound judgment and alertness whenever he drives.

While some drugs can indeed serve as stimulants and allow drivers to stay behind the wheel longer, they can also impair judgment. Addled or influenced drivers suddenly have no regard for speed limits, traffic rules, or other drivers on the road.

Thankfully, we don’t seem to have that many cases of drug-related traffic accidents happening here, but that’s not saying we should wait for these to happen before taking action.

No one is more dangerous that someone who has lost reason. And in the road or the street, no one is more dangerous than someone behind the wheel of a vehicle.