Phnom Penh: Minister of Public Works and Transport, Sun Chanthol, says the Ministry is preparing to come down hard on those who drive on the wrong side of the road. He says laws will be amended so that bigger fines can be imposed, especially for heavy vehicles using the left-hand lane, which is reserved for vehicles travelling at higher speeds.

The Minister says this tendency of heavy-goods vehicles is causing traffic jams, especially during rush hour. He was speaking during Monday’s “MPWT LIVE SHOW" on Facebook, which was broadcast under the theme, "Road Infrastructure Achievements from the end of 2018 to 2023.”

The Minister says all road traffic must be focused on the right-hand side of the road with the left being used only for overtaking. It is expected that road-lane use will form part of the kingdom’s new demerit system for drivers, which is expected to be launched in early 2021. Traffic officers are due to be trained in using the new system next month. It will see drivers having points deducted for traffic offences. They will have their licenses suspended when they run out of points and will have six months in which to retake their driving test.