National Police chief Neth Savoeun has ordered a temporary halt to strict traffic law enforcement in Phnom Penh due to the recent Covid-19 community transmission.

Phnom Penh municipal police chief Sar Thet said on December 1 that Savoeun had instructed traffic police officials in the capital to halt the enforcement for 15 days from December 1-15.

Savoeun also ordered a halt to screening drivers for alcohol consumption at night until further notice.

He explained that the top leadership will reconsider enforcing the Traffic Law on December 16. During the halt, traffic police officials will just have to stand on targets to direct traffic flow in Phnom Penh.

Him Yan, the deputy National Police chief in charge of traffic, and Heng Chan Theary, the National Police’s Public Order and Traffic Police Department director, could not be reached for comment.

Dangkor district police chief Chim Sitha said he had received the orders.

“We will follow the recommendations by our leader,” he said.

Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation director Kim Pagna said police should not halt fining traffic violators in Phnom Penh completely.

He recommended the authorities ease enforcing the Traffic Law in main locations, because a complete halt would make traffic law enforcement become lax.

“We should just withdraw all forces from less important locations and continue to enforce the law in main areas, especially targeting high speed drivers who pose a high risk to passengers and other drivers on the roads.”

“While we continue to disseminate Covid-19 prevention measures, we can take care of traffic problems at the same time,” he said.