The black clouds are coming together, cool wind is blowing, and rain is dropping, while many drivers are speeding faster and faster to avoid the rain. But do you know that speeding up while driving makes trouble for other drivers and contributes to the rate of traffic accidents?  

“Whenever it is going to rain, I have to pay more attention because everyone drives very fast and overtakes each other, and there is even just 50 centimetres of space,” said Sok Bunthorn, 21, who studies at the Institute of Foreign Languages.

He added that some people drive up the sidewalks, thus affecting pedestrians.

A young man studying at Royal University of Law and Economic, who asked not to be named, admitted to speeding up in the rain.

“I also want to drive slowly but if I do so, my motorbike will not work properly because of rain and floatsam.”

Eng Ratanak, 20, who studies at the National University of Management, mentioned that many cars and motorbike drivers increase their speed as much as possible even when the rain stops. He added that they speed up because they are afraid of water and floating debris clogging the exhaust pipe.

Besides being annoying, speeding in the rain causes traffic accidents.

Chev Hak, deputy chief of the municipal traffic police, said that the rate of traffic accidents caused by driving fast in the rain is not high enough to be noticed. However, speeding is always a major cause of accidents. He added that before, during and after the rain, some drivers, especially motorbike drivers, often increase their speed and ignore traffic lights. This disrespect for the law causes traffic jams at intersections and makes other drivers annoyed.

Road safety officer Uy Mab said that roads become slicker during and after rainstorms.

If the driver does not pay much attention and drives too fast, they may face a traffic accident.

Uy Mab also pointed out that 90 per cent of traffic accidents are caused by humans. In 2011, 5,096 traffic accidents were recorded in Cambodia, with 1,905 people killed.

Hak suggested that in addition to getting a driver’s licence, people must have good morals while driving, especially during rainy season.

When the driver notices that it is going to rain or if it is already raining, the driver should bear in mind that driving too fast will lead to traffic accidents or death. He or she should know that wet clothes can be cleaned and dried, but no one can be brought back from death.

Hak also recommended bringing supplies for when it rains.

“The season is rainy; while driving, drivers should be well-prepared with some needed materials such as a rain coats for motorbike drivers and window cleaner for car drivers to wash away the rain drops,” said Hak.

Besides respecting the traffic laws and driving safety, every car and motorbike driver should be responsible and respect others by slowing their speed and not spreading dirty water from rain and debris to other people.