TRAFFIC accidents dropped 35 percent between April and May, according to recently released figures. The number of road mishaps decreased to 1,663 in May, down from 2,545 the previous month, with the highest incidence of severe injuries and fatalities - 114 and 25, respectively - occurring in Phnom Penh.

Nationwide, 117 people were killed in accidents, with another 479 being badly hurt. Males accounted for 73 percent of those casualties.

Speeding, dangerous overtaking and drunken driving  remained the chief causes of accidents, with motorbike drivers at fault in 77 percent of them.

According to Sann Socheata, a road safety program manager with Handicap International Belgium, "There were fewer accidents than the previous month because Khmer New Year and a lot of festivals are in April. That's why accidents increased."

Pen Khun, deputy police chief of Phnom Penh's Traffic Bureau, said that overall, traffic fatalities have gone up this year. He said the problem calls for better implementation and better public awareness of traffic laws.