Boat accidents killed 12 people and injured eight in the first 10 months of this year. The total number of accidents reached 21, an increase of three compared to the same period last year, according to a report from the National Police.

Phnom Penh municipal Department of Traffic Police and Public Order Heng Chan Theary told The Post on Wednesday the accidents were mainly caused by high-speed drivers, a lack of lights at night and poor weather.

To reduce waterway accidents, Chan Theary said the National Police were training water traffic police from Phnom Penh and 16 provinces.

He said a total of 50 trainees came from the department as well as the water traffic police.

National Police deputy chief Him Yan, who presided over the five-day training programme on November 2, said the trainees will obtain knowledge on important topics, including navigation safety, the use of flags, emergency response, driving techniques and geography.

“Water traffic police must have technical skills and legal knowledge,” he said.

Yan said the knowledge will hopefully form a foundation for reducing water traffic accidents in Phnom Penh and the provinces.