A security camera at a traffic light in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district. Heng Chivoan
Speed cameras will be installed on four national roads and other main thoroughfares in a move to reduce the appalling death toll on the Kingdom’s roads.
Minister of Public Work and Transport Sun Chanthol on Tuesday said the ministry will mount cameras on National Roads 3, 31, 33 and 41, and along other important routes. Drivers caught speeding will be fined.
“Speed cameras will help reduce traffic accidents on our roads which are caused by excessive speeding. Police officers will fine offenders at their home if they are caught breaking the speed limit,” Chanthol said, without specifying the exact number of locations where the devices will be installed.
He stressed that most cases of road crashes were attributed to the drivers’ lack of respect for traffic regulations.
“Traffic accidents kill at least six people every day and cause material losses worth more than $400 million each year. Therefore, brothers and sisters, please do not disregard the traffic laws and always check your vehicle’s roadworthiness in terms of tyres, brakes, steering wheels and other parts,” Chanthol said.
He made the remark after presiding over the signing of a road safety initiative with two private companies.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Michelin ROH Co Ltd and WorldBridge International (Cambodia) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in strengthening road safety in Cambodia.
The MoU, the ministry said, aims to form cooperation to enhance road safety and reduce traffic accidents in the Kingdom under the two-year “Michelin Road Safety” project which is expected to conclude on March 31, 2021.
Chantol said the two companies would collaborate with the ministry’s specialised officials to inspect road conditions and improve the quality of the Kingdom’s roads.
Speaking to The Post on Wednesday, Institute for Road Safety acting director Kong Ratanak said adhering to the traffic regulations would improve “security, safety and public order”.
“According to data collected by the institute, more than 1,000 security cameras have been mounted on traffic lights on the roads and other important points. However, law enforcement is yet to be effective."
“What’s important is that all of us must abide by the laws and we must change our bad behaviours to improve,” he said.
