CRC drive support for children in road safety campaign

IN a bid to enhance road safety, the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) inaugurated two traffic safety parks and distributed educational materials at Hun Sen Veal Renh and Hun Sen Prey Nop High Schools in Preah Sihanouk province on February 3.

The initiative, shared on the CRC’s official social media, underscores a commitment to road safety for the Kingdom’s youth, students, parents and teachers alike.

CRC first deputy secretary-general Men Neary Sopheak highlighted the event’s significance, noting the shared responsibility to reduce traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries across Cambodia.

“Human negligence is the primary cause of traffic accidents, demonstrating the vital role of adhering to traffic laws. I urge students wellversed in traffic safety to actively engage as peer educators, spreading awareness among friends, relatives and family to collectively prevent accidents,” she said.

Preah Sihanouk provincial deputy governor Hiek Himuli said that the traffic safety parks hold paramount importance in the ongoing development of the area. This encompasses recent enhancements to road infrastructure. She underscored the pressing traffic challenges faced by the province, especially the increased presence of tourist vehicles and transportation demands.

“Daily traffic challenges persist in the province, particularly on National Road 4, marked by frequent accidents. Provincial authorities are now actively addressing and responding to this issue through a series of comprehensive measures,” she said.

Utilising a collaborative approach, the province has mobilised joint forces, including both the traffic and Military Police, to extend road traffic law awareness at the grassroots level. This strategic effort aims to significantly and effectively reduce traffic accidents in the province.

On February 4, Kim Pagna, country director of the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, endorsed measures concentrating on education, law enforcement and other proactive steps to prevent and mitigate traffic accidents nationwide. He said the parks’ goal of educating students on understanding and obeying road traffic signs.

“I support the creation and widespread implementation of this and similar parks in all schools, particularly those situated along high-risk national roads. I also call for the consistent use of these parks. However, I also propose the inclusion of technical training on driving and the interpretation of traffic signs for students,” Pagna said.

In December 2023, the CRC established its first traffic safety park on the campus of Chea Sim Santhor Mok High School in Phnom Penh.

In 2023, the Ministry of Interior recorded 3,317 road accidents, 55 per cent of which occurred at night, causing nearly 1,600 fatalities and over 4,500 injuries, 2,800 of them severe. Compared to 2022, accidents increased by 11 per cent (341 more), fatalities decreased by 7 per cent (119 fewer), but injuries rose by 12 per cent (489 more).*