Police statistics show a startling increase in the number of deaths on the road in Battambang province in the first three months of 2012.

Forty people have been killed in road traffic accidents in the period between January and March, up from 30 during the same period in 2011.

However, the number of accidents has actually decreased from 128 to 125.

Battambang road traffic police officer Noy Sophy said that most accidents were caused by human error exacerbated by excessive speed or drunk driving.

Ahead of Khmer New Year, Noy Sophy appealed to drivers take extra caution.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kim Yuthana at [email protected]