Dope tests will be carried out on drivers at several locations across the capital from Dec 1, according people familiar with the matter.

Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association General Secretary Khandaker Enayet Ullah made the announcement on Wednesday (Sept 18).

He said that a mobile court will be carrying out the tests and if the result is positive the driver will be sent to jail in addition to having his license scrapped.

“We have decided to start counter-based bus services against the contract-based ones. It will first be implemented in the Bosila-Motijheel route,” he said and added that the doors of the bus will be completely closed between two stoppages.

Responding to queries on how accidents occur if the buses run at around 9 km/h, he said, “The primary reasons are driving buses on contractual basis, unequal competition and drug addiction.”

He said that the transport sector was lagging behind even though the country was progressing as the sector is full to the brim with irregularities.

“The government is working to prepare 500,000 drivers. No driver will be given license without clearing the exam,” he added.

Saying that 40 percent of the drivers are addicted to drugs, he added that discussions were underway to free the transport sector from extortion.

Enyaet Ullah said that if any driver during an accident is found to be in possession of fake liscence or papers then they will be sued under section 302 of the Penal Code.