In the first six months of this year, 709 people died and 1,792 others were injured in 1,261 road accidents across the country, mostly in Phnom Penh, according to Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.

In a Facebook post, he said 50 per cent of the cases happened at night. Among the injured, 1,046 were in critical conditions.

“This figure for accidents shows a decrease of 358 cases, or 22 per cent, over the same period last year. Death toll decreased by 152, or 18 per cent, and injuries are down by 657, or 27 per cent,” he said.

Speeding was the main cause of accidents at 34 per cent, followed by disregard for other road users’ priority, 23 per cent; carelessness, nine per cent; ignoring the right-of-way rule, 16 per cent; overtaking or making turns under dangerous conditions, eight per cent; drunk driving, three per cent; mechanical malfunction, three per cent; and falling asleep at the wheel, one per cent.

Phnom Penh recorded the most accidents at 340, followed by Kandal and Svay Rieng provinces at 86 and 77 cases respectively.

Accidents also happened among vehicles transporting factory workers in Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu and Takeo provinces, leaving a total of 276 people injured.

During the six-month period, police also stopped 102,995 vehicles including 600 trucks for inspection. Among them, 77,795 motorcycles riders were caught violating traffic law, mostly driving without helmets.

Among car and truck drivers who violated the law, 52 per cent were caught for driving without putting on seat belts, 16 per cent for speeding, and 10 per cent for using phones behind the wheel,” Sar Kheng’s post said.

“If you love your life, your family and avoid ruining other people’s happiness, you have to respect the law. When everyone complies with the law, traffic in our country would improve and that would lead to a decrease in injuries and disability and damage of properties. National budget would also be not wasted. It would also promote our national prestige,” Sar Kheng said.