Kozhikode: “I am a bus driver, but now I am scared of driving. Many drivers are using narcotics. Strict inspections are urgently needed.” This message, shared on social media by a private bus driver, has come in the wake of a fatal accident that claimed the life of a youth recently.

The Special Branch has immediately brought the driver’s disclosure to the attention of senior police officials. There is now a growing demand for joint inspections by the police, excise and Motor Vehicles Department to catch drivers using narcotics.

The disclosure was prompted by an accident near the Poovattuparambu Panchayat Office on Monday evening. In the incident, a private bus `Safa;, which was travelling from Mavoor to Kozhikode collided with a bike, while trying to overtake another vehicle. The motorcyclist, a resident of Kayalam was killed in the crash.

The social media message, posted in a WhatsApp group for private bus drivers, is now being examined by the police. “Bus drivers are ignoring smaller vehicles. They drive recklessly, confident of no consequences if they hit other vehicles. Many drivers are using MDMA, ganja and other narcotics,” the message stated.

The post also criticises monitoring practices currently in place. “The monthly checks conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department are a mere eye wash. Accidents involving private buses and fatalities will only reduce when inspections are carried out continuously.”

Meanwhile, police officials acknowledge that the force currently lacks the means to test bus drivers for narcotics other than alcohol. The Excise Department, however, is equipped to conduct Abone tests, which can detect synthetic narcotics like MDMA within two minutes. Excise officials maintain that these drug detection kits are expensive, which limits their widespread use.