The number of workers killed and injured by traffic accidents nearly doubled in 2015, according to a report released by the National Social Security Fund yesterday.
In 2015, 130 workers were killed on Cambodia’s roads, compared with 73 in 2014. Injuries, meanwhile, rose to 7,227 in 2015, up from 4,664 the year before.
The total number of accidents increased to 6,491 from 3,800. NSSF director Ouk Sam Vichea blamed the toll on poor driving practices, urging officials to “try and decrease the number this year and in the future”.
William Conklin, country director of the Solidarity Center, said the massive increase was likely due to a mix of better reporting and an increased numbers of vehicles on the road, along with garment factories spreading to more remote locations.
While the government says it has stepped up driver education efforts since yet another crash left four garment workers dead last month, Conklin said bigger issues, such as the predominance of highways with only two lanes, needed to be tackled.
“It’s good they’re working on this, and every initiative can help . . . but we need a more systemic approach.” he said.
