China's Ministry of Public Security has urged police across the country to strengthen security checks for vehicles and drivers—especially to find those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol—as the Labor Day holiday draws near.
"Road control should be especially tightened in regions where drug-use is more prevalent. Once suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, a driver should be immediately seized for drug testing and subjected to further punishment if the result is positive," said a statement released Thursday by the ministry.
The ministry's advisement came days after a coach collided with a truck on an expressway in eastern Jiangsu Province, leaving 14 people dead and another 20 injured. An investigation revealed that a urine sample taken from the coach's driver came back positive for drug use.
According to the statement, police checks around the Labor Day holiday, which will run from April 29 to May 1, will focus on private vehicles and passenger buses on major roads and around tourist attractions.
The ministry has urged police across the country to cooperate with transportation, tourism, safety supervision and other departments to go deep into travel agencies and bus companies to check their vehicles for potential safety risks as well as valid drivers' licenses.
Copyright ©1999-2011 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
