Traffic fatalities have decreased since a new sub-decree increasing traffic fines was implemented on May 1.

From May 1-4, 22 traffic accidents resulted in 11 deaths and 28 injuries, police said.

The most common violations were speeding, illegally overtaking and reckless turning.

Since the new sub-decree was implemented and more than 3,000 police personnel assembled to enforce it, thousands of motorists have been fined across the country.

National Road Safety Committee spokesman Chhuon Von told The Post on Tuesday that he considered the decrease in fatalities “as a proud moment”.

He said the National Road Safety Committee will have a weekly meeting to evaluate traffic accidents.

“More people have been renewing their licenses and making sure they are valid, so I believe they are more interested in obeying the law and that’s why we saw the recent decline in fatalities,” he said.

Institute for Road Safety director Kong Ratanak said the continued decline would depend on deploying police forces to monitor street traffic.

“We encourage law enforcement to persuade citizens to change their behaviour on the streets,” he said.

Ratanak said the authorities should not issue too many fines to avoid complaints from citizens that the increased enforcement is an additional burden on them during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government and public should work together and embrace the new law, he said.

National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun and National Road Safety Committee secretary-general Him Yan could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

The National Police and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on Tuesday held a joint meeting to establish an information hotline for the public to call regarding the new traffic law.

The hotline working group will be responsible for responding to people’s questions on social media, radio, television and other media.