Chuadanga Police Introduce Mandatory Drug Tests for Transport Workers

In a robust effort to curb road accidents, enhance highway security, and eliminate substance abuse from the public transport sector, the Chuadanga District Police have officially initiated a mandatory drug-testing campaign for long-distance drivers, supervisors, and transport assistants.

The initiative is being executed in close collaboration with the local District Transport Owners’ Association, targeting key personnel operating across major inter-district and long-distance routes. Under this strict regulatory drive, tests are being systematically conducted at Chuadanga Government Hospital. Authorities have confirmed that any driver, supervisor, or helper who tests positive for illicit substances will face immediate termination of employment alongside formal legal prosecution under prevailing laws.

Target Transport Services and Sector Oversight

The comprehensive screening programme covers a wide network of prominent long-distance transport services operating through the district. Personnel from major private operators—including Royal Express, Purbasha Paribahan, JR Paribahan, Chuadanga Deluxe, Darshana Deluxe, Golden Line, Jononi, Nadia, Sathi Paribahan, Rekha Paribahan, Mamun Paribahan, Shamim Enterprise, New Modern Paribahan, and Saudia Paribahan—as well as the state-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), are undergoing mandatory evaluations in phased batches.

This enforcement action comes amid growing national concern regarding highway safety in Bangladesh, where reckless driving, exhaustion, and substance abuse amongst long-distance commercial operators have historically contributed to preventable road casualties. By establishing rigorous health and sobriety checkpoints at the district level, law enforcement aims to create a strong deterrent against driving under the influence.

Key Directives Issued for Road Safety

Alongside the drug-screening drive, the Chuadanga District Police issued a formal press release detailing several crucial safety protocols that transport owners and workers must strictly follow:

• Mandatory Driver Rotation: Long-distance services must enforce mandatory driver changes at designated intervals to prevent fatigue.

• Regulated Rest Hours: Operators are strictly prohibited from assigning long, continuous shifts to drivers without providing adequate rest periods.

• Fitness and Sobriety Checks: Vehicles may only be operated by drivers who have undergone physical and mental fitness assessments, ensuring no individual drives while fatigued, ill, or under the influence of drugs.

• Strict Traffic Compliance: Drivers must refrain from speeding and aggressive overtakes, ensuring rigorous adherence to traffic laws and highway safety guidelines.

• Owner Accountability: Transport owners and union representatives are required to maintain active supervision at terminals to ensure compliance before vehicles depart.

Commitment to Long-Term Enforcement

Speaking on the initiative, district police officials emphasised that operating a commercial vehicle under the influence of narcotics poses a severe threat to public safety and human life. Law enforcement reasserted that drug screenings and terminal monitoring will remain an ongoing practice rather than a temporary measure.

Police authorities have called upon transport proprietors, labour leaders, and vehicle crews to maintain high professional standards, operate responsibly, and extend full cooperation to ensure a safer, disciplined, and accident-free road transport network across the region.