At least 25 trucks carrying shipping containers were detained yesterday with overloaded cargo in Phnom Penh, after Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed to authorities on Wednesday to take strict action against overloaded vehicles to prevent damage to municipal roads.

“These big trucks have overloaded and transported heavy goods on roads in Phnom Penh,” said Heng Chantheary, chief of Phnom Penh traffic police.

“They have damaged roads and created many problems as well as traffic jams in the city,” Heng Chantheary said, adding that of the 25 trucks detained, 10 were stopped in Russey Keo district and the remaining 15 were detained at Meanchey district.

He added that the trucks were now being detained by traffic police in the two districts for examination of their documentation and technical inspections under the supervision of experts from the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.

The banning of overweight vehicles and trucks transporting shipping containers on the streets of Phnom Penh is a difficult task, Heng Chantheary said, and one that required cooperation from district police and related authorities.

Prime Minister Hun Sen called on police, military police and court officials on Wednesday to take drastic action against transportation companies that violate municipal traffic laws.

He added that trucks carrying shipping containers are a major concern for the city, because they have caused traffic accidents, traffic jams and damage to Cambodia’s  infrastructure.

The premier also appealed to provincial governors to stop illegal road checkpoints and ensure that roads are repaired and maintained.