PHNOM PENH: In the first week of 2024, there were 57 traffic accidents nationwide, with 22 people killed and 77 injured. According to Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, Touch Sokhak, most of the accidents involved motorcyclists. In a Facebook post from January 9, he said that accidents were primarily caused by careless driving, drunk driving, speeding and reckless driving, and a lack of understanding and respect for traffic laws.

The spokesman noted that lowering the rate of traffic accidents is one of the Ministry of Interior’s six priorities under the new administration.

Towards this goal, the Royal Government is amending and implementing the "New Road Traffic Law" to better define the types of traffic offenses and tighten guidelines. It is amending 48 articles of the current law and adding new articles that respond to Cambodia’s development. Widening roads, highway construction and increased traffic efficiency will be addressed in the amendments. Additionally, the new law will require drug tests for drivers of all types of vehicles including motorcycles and heavy machinery.