Drink driving draws ire of leaders, public
ON A typical bustling evening in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district, tragedy struck. A pickup truck, driven by a customs official whose blood alcohol level was significantly over the legal limit, ploughed into a line of waiting cars and motorcycles at a busy intersection, leaving at least four dead and several injured.
In the first week of 2024 alone, Cambodia witnessed over 20 fatalities and nearly 80 injuries due to road accidents.
Despite the strong efforts of the government, the menace of drunk driving continues to cast a long shadow over the Kingdom’s roads.
While addressing the closing of the Ministry of Information’s annual meeting recently, Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed the National Police chief to enhance the enforcement of alcohol control to prevent tragic accidents.
“The road toll recorded thus far is shocking. No one wants accidents to happen, not even the offenders. We know that alcohol is often involved, so what can be done to prevent reckless driving? Strengthen the law! Strengthen inspections,” he said.
The aftermath of the Russey Keo tragedy is not just a tale of numbers. It’s a story of shattered families, dreams cut short, and the lasting trauma that ripples through communities.
Manet said that despite legal consequences and efforts to arrange compensation, the loss of any individual with promising prospects and the recent deaths of four innocent youths represent significant hardships for their families.
He urged the authorities to intensify the enforcement of traffic laws and encouraged the media to contribute to spreading awareness about the dangerous effects of drugs and alcohol.
Minister of Interior Sar Sokha took to social media on January 24 to note that over 1,500 individuals lost their lives in road accidents throughout the country in 2023. A significant contributing factor to this tragic figure was driving under the influence.
He noted with concern that some individuals continue to engage in such dangerous behaviour.
“Recently, an incident occurred where, under the influence of alcohol, a perpetrator caused a crash which resulted in the deaths of four people and numerous others sustaining injuries. This incident has sparked heated public debate on the recurring issue of accidents caused by drunk drivers,” he said in reference to the Russey Keo incident.
One family’s loss
The body of one of the four victims was returned to his hometown in Meanchey commune’s Samrong village, in Kampong Cham province’s Srey Santhor district.
The 50-year-old father of the deceased recorded the procession escorting his son’s body to a local pagoda for cremation, with mourners riding two abreast on their motorcycles behind a hearse.
“Help me [find justice]! I am devastated. My son was hit by a car and killed in Phnom Penh. Please help me,” he said, bursting into tears.
In the video, a women dressed in white wept as the hearse passed by, lamenting the loss. She expressed her feelings about the injustice of the young man’s death.
“I never thought this would happen! Some people have money, cause deadly accidents, and then think they can settle it with cash? Human life is not something to be bought and sold in the market,” she said.
Another woman encouraged the man to continue recording, telling him to post the video to social media, in the hope that the footage would draw attention to their plight and find justice for their loss.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the customs official responsible for the fatal accident that occurred under the Russey Keo flyover on January 20.
As per a press release from the prosecutor’s office, the pickup driver, Neang Sam Oun, faces charges of reckless driving and negligence, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
The driver’s blood alcohol level was reportedly measured at 0.54mg/l, significantly above the legal limit.
In light of this Russey Keo tragedy, Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman SamVichheka announced that the General Commissioner of the National Police has directed specialised forces within the capital’s 14 district inspectorates to intensify alcohol testing on the streets during the night.
He added that the authorities plan to convene a meeting to establish clear and comprehensive measures for effective implementation.
Calls to embrace ride-hailing apps
Yong Kim Eng, president of the People’s Centre for Development and Peace (PDP-Centre), is advocating for a shift from driving one’s own vehicle while drunk to utilising ridehailing services.
“The prevalent practice of driving under the influence has become deeply rooted in Cambodian society, with many individuals resistant to seeking alternative transportation options,” he says.
Kim Eng emphasised the importance of changing the culture of drink driving.
Vichheka noted that a series of recent accidents, some caused by drunk drivers, underscored the importance of enforcing the Kingdom’s traffic laws.
He said it is imperative that
people remain sober if they are to drive, or employ a driver or ride-hailing app.
He added that checkpoints are deployed to breath-test drivers at night, but acknowledged that there are insufficient resources to place checkpoints on every corner.
“I’m also concerned about the dangerous practice of delaying driving until late in the night to avoid checkpoints. This poses an increased risk, as individuals may consume more alcohol, leading to a higher level of impairment,” he said.
Tax increases mooted
Kim Eng of the PDP-Centre opined that current preventive measures are insufficient and ineffective.
He also highlighted substantial public support for a proposal to raise prices and taxes on alcohol, noting that the Kingdom’s alcohol prices are lower than those of many other nations, which may contribute to a higher incidence of accidents involving alcohol.
“Recently, there has been a demand from the public to increase taxes by 15 per cent to 40 or 45 per cent,” Kim Eng told The Post, noting that over the course of a 20-day project, more 7,000 people signed a petition.
The petition, featuring over 7,000 thumbprints, was submitted to the National Assembly,
the Office of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Health on January 23.
Kim Eng acknowledged that while wealthier individuals could still afford higher alcohol prices, they will face legal consequences if they drive under the influence.
He also pointed out that based on the experiences of other countries, as alcohol prices increase, consumption tends to decrease. He added that in many countries, alcohol tax revenue does not fully compensate for social damage.
The PDP-Centre president expressed hope that the health ministry is genuinely concerned about the alcohol issue and plays a more active role in advocating for new laws to regulate alcohol products, increased taxes and advertising restrictions.
“We hope the interior minister will also confront the issue. Local authorities should be empowered to remove billboards and other advertising for alcohol, and replace them with traffic awareness signs,” he added.
With growing criticism of the alcohol problem on social media, Kim Eng warned that if the government neglects the issue, people’s frustration and disappointment will likely increase.
Checkpoint controversy
Some members of the public have suggested that authorities set up alcohol checkpoints in the vicinity of wedding halls and other party venues to prevent drink driving.
Kim Eng, in the name of civil society, urged people to consume alcohol responsibly for their own safety and that of others.
“It’s fine for them to go to parties and have fun, but they should not harm others,” he said.
“When tested for alcohol, some may argue it is not appropriate for the police officers to test them. But what if they end up causing harm or even death? Would that be appropriate?” he said.
In response to criticism that alcohol checkpoints were often placed far away from entertainment venues and wedding halls, municipal police spokesman Vichheka said the comments came from a “small number” of individuals who wanted to criticise the authorities.
“We do not act arbitrarily. Each checkpoint is carefully placed by our management team. We prioritise the safety of the public, and our actions are geared towards preventing accidents on the roads,” he said.
He elaborated that in Phnom Penh, traffic accidents caused by drunkenness accounted for 35 of the 957 accidents recorded in 2023.