NEW LAW TO REQUIRE DRUG TEST BEFORE CAB DRIVER GETS LICENSE

Cab drivers in Jacksonville soon could be facing a drug test before they
can get a permit to drive a taxi.

The General Assembly approved a bill Wednesday that gives municipalities
the option of making taxi companies require applicants to pass a controlled
substance examination before issuing a license.

It will be sent to the governor for his approval.

Ken Bumgarner, Jacksonville's police chief, said City Attorney John Carter
is drafting an ordinance amendment for the City Council to consider.

"It's a safety factor for the city because the city regulates the cab
companies," Bumgarner said. "We have the responsibility of ensuring that
whoever is behind the wheel is a safe driver and drug free.

"We've been able to do safety inspections and background checks, but we've
never been able to do a drug test. I think it's another safety factor for
the public that says, 'you are safe if you take a cab.'"

Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Bittner, for one, was receptive to the idea. "I think
we should look into it," he said, noting that others who deal with the
public, such as police officers and firefighters, must submit to drug
testing. "Since they're transporting the public, that should be something
we should consider."

Beth Wood, co-owner of Tarheel Taxi in Jacksonville, welcomed the new law.
"The problem is that there are so many cab companies around that if you
tell someone who comes in looking for a job that they'll need to take a
drug test, they'll turn around and walk away," she said. "But if it comes
down as a law, then everybody has to comply. "That's wonderful. I'm all for
it."

But Wood said she was worried about who would pay for any test. She said
drivers now have to pay $80 to $85 to begin work, which she thinks is too
high. The permit fee is $15, but drivers also must pay for a vehicle
inspection, criminal background check, photos and fingerprinting.

"If they're looking at raising the fees even higher, I think they need to
take another look at how they decide how to pay for this," Wood said.
"These people are just trying to make a living, like everybody else. She
added that many would-be drivers are Marine spouses or Marines looking for
extra work. A drug test requirement wouldn't just benefit riders or cab
companies looking to keep their professional noses clean.

Carol Long, director of Onslow United Transit Services, said the bill is a
boon for public transportation as well. She said has tried to get a taxi
cab company to agree to serve as a back-up to public transit services, but
they balked when told of the alcohol and drug-testing requirements they
would face.

"It's been really hard to find a company that would do that because of the
expense and the scrutiny," Long said. "With this, we could send out a bid
to get somebody to help people who can't get in one of the vans. I think
it's a great thing."