JEDDAH: The government has decided to have all taxi, school and other public transport drivers undertake annual drug tests as part of measures to reduce road accidents.

This followed a recommendation from a committee that had been set up to study the matter. The decision is subject to further change because the law overseeing public transport is expected to be amended in future, according to a report in a local publication on Wednesday.

Omar Bamasfar, director of public relations and press spokesman for the Ministry of Transport in Makkah, said those wishing to operate public transport have to undergo the drug test, have no criminal record and a letter from their sponsors.

There has recently been a spate of accidents involving buses transporting students and teachers. This has forced the Ministry of Transport to take action, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.