Alcohol checks make for safer roads: Thet
NATIONAL Police chief Sar Thet has commended police forces in the capital for their efforts in alcohol checks, citing a notable reduction in traffic accidents during the week-long campaign.
Leading a meeting on January 30 to review the initiative, particularly in Phnom Penh, Thet noted the decrease in accidents compared to the period before the campaign’s launch on January 25.
“Following Prime Minister
Hun Manet’s directive, I promptly instructed the Phnom Penh municipal police chief to launch the campaign in recent days. The discernible decline in road accidents within Phnom Penh underscores our effective approach in addressing this issue,” Thet said.
He asserted that the continuous campaign, directed towards preserving lives and promoting compliance with laws, will extend into the foreseeable future. Furthermore, he stated intentions to initiate the campaign soon in provinces with the highest prevalence of traffic accidents.
Thet also said that night time inspections on the roads will encompass not only alcohol checks but also scrutiny of drug-related issues, youth gang activities and other criminal actions.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to intensify our activities without advance notice,” he said.
Thet instructed police officers engaged in the campaign to uphold their professional conduct, mitigating the risk of public criticism. Violations of discipline will result in penalties without exemption.
Kim Pagna, the country director of the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, said that he supports the campaign. He also urged authorities to extend their efforts to address factors contributing to accidents beyond alcohol.
“The reduction of traffic accidents hinges on consistently reinforcing road traffic respect, regulating alcohol consumption, and addressing speeding. These measures should be implemented regularly, not solely in response to high-profile accidents. Enforcing legal consequences for violators is also imperative,” he said.
He noted the ongoing significance of traffic law education and proposed that raising the alcohol tax would additionally contribute to road safety.