Phnom Penh authorities will deploy forces day and night at 16 points throughout the capital to identify motorcyclists not wearing helmets. Supplied
In a bid to strengthen compliance of road traffic laws, the Phnom Penh traffic police were deployed throughout the capital on Monday to identify motorcyclists and passengers not wearing helmets.
Municipal police chief Sar Thet previously said on Sunday that the clampdown – part of a nationwide campaign to bolster enforcement of traffic laws – would be put in place from Monday onwards.
At least 296 motorcyclists and 249 pillion riders were found not wearing helmets during the first day of the campaign, municipal traffic bureau chief Sem Sokunthea told The Post on Monday evening.
“We did not impose a fine [on any of the violators], but instead educated and instructed them to get a helmet and then we allowed them to travel further,” Sokunthea said.
It was previously reported that the authorities had said the forces would be deployed day and night at 16 points throughout Phnom Penh to crack down on motorcyclists and passengers without helmets.
However, Sokunthea said yesterday that the operations were concentrated in five locations across Phnom Penh, such as the Kouch Kanong Roundabout and on Russian Federation Boulevard near the Office of the Council of Ministers.
Other locations included the Bokor traffic light, and at the corner of Preah Norodom Boulevard and Mao Tse Tong Boulevard. The forces, he said, had been deployed between 8am and 8pm.
Before sending them to the locations, Sar Thet said on Monday morning that police must be role models for people and adhere to traffic laws. He urged them to always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.
“From this day on, we are launching a campaign to [strengthen] the enforcement of traffic laws. Motorcyclists and passengers who do not wear helmets must be stopped and could only be allowed to continue their journey after obtaining a helmet.
“This applies to everyone, even to members of the police forces and civil servants,” he told his subordinates.
Institute for Road Safety acting director Kong Ratanak welcomed the move, saying it was time for Cambodians to learn about and respect the laws.
“By respecting the laws, we would be a dignified society with security and development,” he stressed.
