PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, has stated that traffic accidents have increased, especially in the three months since the country reopened (November and December 2021 and early January 2022). This statement was made during a meeting with government officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport who use motorcycles on Wednesday morning.

The Senior Minister said that most of the fatalities caused by traffic accidents involved motorcyclists. These accidents were up 78 percent, and only 33 percent of involved motorcycle drivers were wearing helmets.

He continued that the National Road Safety Committee has been educating people about road traffic law, but this committee cannot do it alone, as road users are obliged to know and respect all traffic laws. The Senior Minister also called on all private companies and relevant institutions to undergo a comprehensive training program and help explain traffic laws to all staff and not only rely on the National Road Safety Committee to help spread the word. He also instructed civil servants to be role models for the people and especially vehicle users, providing a good example to road users in respecting traffic laws.

He said, "Ministry officials who are vehicle users, participate in setting a good example for people to use vehicles and strictly obey traffic laws, because we are the ones who help to make the law. Don’t let people say that we are the lawmakers, but we are also the ones who violate the law."

The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the National Road Safety Committee, Min Manvi, and said that helmets had been distributed to 1,148 civil servants who use motorcycles to travel to work at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. She added that the number of traffic accidents has increased dramatically, with many deaths and injuries after the reopening of the country. Of the 100 recorded fatalities, 78 were motorcyclists, and 75 of these motorcyclists were not wearing helmets. The causes for the traffic accidents were identified as speeding, disrespecting the right of way, risky turning and overtaking on the road, drunkenness, technical problems and drowsiness.

The Secretary of State also requested all civil servants to set an example to the public in obeying traffic laws, and to help educate those around them to be careful while driving in traffic, to avoid causing accidents. She especially urged all to not drive faster than the speed limit, respect the right of way before turning or overtaking, look left and right when driving, and always wear a helmet while when riding a motorcycle.