Motorcycles were stopped most often for failure to wear helmets, traffic sign violations, lack of licence plates or drunk riding. Hong Menea
Traffic police across the country inspected and fined 156,383 vehicles, including 116,025 motorcycles, between May 1 and August 31, according to the National Police.
National Police spokesman and deputy police chief Chhay Kim Khoeun told The Post that since the authorities tightened road traffic law enforcement in the first four months of this year, stops are up while motorists’ attitudes are noticeably changing.
Motorcycles were stopped most often for failure to wear helmets, traffic sign violations, lack of licence plates or drunk riding.
Car driver offences mostly fell into the categories of speeding, not wearing seatbelts, traffic sign violations, not having a driver’s licence and using a phone while driving.
Kim Khoeun said he appreciated all motorists who have participated in respecting traffic laws. He also commended traffic police for their efforts to enforce the law with the highest sense of responsibility.
“The behaviour of motorists after the tightening of traffic law enforcement has not yet been clearly assessed. But based on daily figures, some days there are more than 1,000 car offenders. On some days it drops to 700-800 or 900 cars.
“In short, people are more understanding and involved in respecting traffic laws,” he said.
Institute for Road Safety acting director Kong Ratanak said the implementation of traffic laws in the first two months was good. In the past two months, he said it had not improved much and the number of accidents and deaths has risen by an average of five to six as before.
“I have observed that there are more law enforcement officers on the streets. But when law enforcement activities are reduced or relaxed traffic accidents will increase,” he said.
Ratanak said traffic accidents remain a big challenge.
“The attitude of the people in obeying the traffic laws in the city is better because the authorities are more restrictive than in the provinces.
“On the main national roads in the provinces, we see that the behaviour of some people has not really improved yet. Overtaking and speeding are still concerns,” he said.
