As policemen across the country prepare to enforce higher fines for traffic offences starting May 1, Prime Minister Hun Sen called on the people to obey traffic laws.

In the Facebook post on Wednesday, he urged the people to ensure they have a valid driver’s licence before they take to public roads. He also said he expects citizens to pay the appropriate taxes and service fees.

“The restrictions (from May 1st) are to ensure the avoidance of accidents, which can cause serious injuries and death.

“We do not want to see traffic accidents happen in our peoples’ families. Please, citizens and young people, drive with great care and with an understanding of safety,” he wrote.

Fines for traffic offenders will increase three to five-fold to reduce traffic accidents in 2020.

The cause for concern came because of a jump in traffic fatalities and injuries last year compared to 2018.

If someone is caught violating a traffic law, their vehicle will be impounded at the nearest police station and kept for three days. The perpetrator can pay the fine at the station.

On April 27, National Police chief Neth Savoeun wrote a letter to Minister of Interior and chairman of the National Road Safety Committee Sar Kheng in which he said the National Police would allocate 3,919 officials to help enforce the new fines.

In total, 3,507 traffic police officers and 412 collaborative forces will be deployed at 568 target locations to help with enforcement. More than 1,000 of them will be deployed in Phnom Penh.

A statement on the National Police website said Phnom Penh municipal police chief and deputy national police chief Sar Thet instructed police officers to enforce traffic laws in an ethical and virtuous manner and to use appropriate speech.