The capital’s street lights, trees and fences have taken a pounding in the past two-and-a-half years thanks to careless drivers, according to a report obtained by the Post yesterday.

From May 2009 to December of this year, more than 300 vehicles have crashed into and damaged public property, with 122 of those collisions occurring in 2011, the report from Phnom Penh Municipal Hall shows.

Among the public property damaged was concrete road dividers, traffic-light poles, bridge railings, public gardens and, as recently reported in the Post, the Independence Monument, which was struck by a car on December 16.

All vehicles “causing damage to public assets” must be brought to Phnom Penh Municipal Hall and face a doubling of fines when minor damages occur – with the extra funds going toward repairs – while more serious damages will see drivers sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court, the report states.

Preap Chanvibol, director of the Department of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Public Works, said last week that more than 1,700 people were killed and 7,885 people injured in traffic accidents nationwide in the first 11 months of 2011.