Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Traffic accidents, fatalities increase

Traffic accidents, fatalities increase

Public Works and Transport Minister Sun Chanthol speaks at a meeting on Friday to review the report on traffic conditions within the Kingdom. Photo supplied
Public Works and Transport Minister Sun Chanthol speaks at a meeting on Friday to review the report on traffic conditions within the Kingdom. Photo supplied

Traffic accidents, fatalities increase

The number of traffic accidents and fatalities increased marginally during the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year, though the number of injuries dropped.

According to data from the Ministry of Interior, there were 1,883 traffic accidents in the first half of the year, resulting in 919 deaths, an increase of 0.8 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively, on the same period last year.

The number of injured, however, declined by 9 percent to 2,982.

More than three out of four people killed in road accidents were on a motorbike, accounting for 76 percent of the deaths. Among those fatalities, in 82 percent of cases, those killed were not wearing a helmet.

According to the same report, the leading cause of road accidents was speeding, which accounted for 36 percent of all cases, followed by disrespecting another driver’s right of way, breaking the law by driving right-hand steering vehicles and drunk driving.

Run Roth Veasna, the head of the ministry’s Public Order Department, said yesterday that the number of casualties resulting from road accidents remains a concern for the government.

“The implementation [of the new traffic laws], which has lasted for almost a year, shows that it is getting better, but the numbers are still worrisome,” he said, adding that authorities will impose stricter enforcement of traffic laws.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm