LTFRB deploys night teams vs reckless bus drivers

Following a series of bus-related accidents in past weeks, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has sent out night patrol teams to crack down on reckless bus drivers. Radio dzBB's Denevin Macaranas reported Friday that LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing has ordered the deployment of such teams along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) where many accidents had been reported. Suansing said the teams have been instructed to check against colorum buses or those without franchises, noting many of them ply their routes late night until early morning, the report said. Government officials have once again highlighted the need for safety road measures following a spate of accidents not only in Metro Manila but also in nearby provinces. The most tragic occurred over the weekend in Lucena City, about 136 kilometers south of Manila, when two passenger buses collided, killing a total of nine passengers and wounding over 40 others. [See: Lucena police to file raps vs drivers in bus accident] The tragedy so angered President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that she ordered officials to crack down on abusive bus drivers. Suansing also said his office is now coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to conduct random drug tests on public utility vehicle drivers. The Metro Manila Development Authority had earlier suggested that drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) be subjected to random drug testing as one measure to prevent road accidents from happening. [See: MMDA presses random drug tests for PUV drivers] - GMANews.TV