Minister urges prompt road safety action
MINISTER of Interior Sar Sokha said the responsibilities of all relevant ministries, institutions and provincial authorities for the seventh-mandate government may be heavier this year when it comes to implementing road traffic laws.
He noted that as of the beginning of February, Cambodia has six years remaining to achieve the National Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-30, reducing casualties by 50 per cent.
“Let’s work together to tackle these challenges. We shouldn’t have to wait for the prime minister to tell us to address the issue. Let’s take action now,” he urged.
Sokha made the remarks while presiding over the annual meeting of the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC), held on February 7 to review its work of 2023 and set goals for 2024. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
“About 10 years ago, the most deadly issues were unexploded ordnance [UXO], HIV … but in recent years, road deaths have surpassed both HIV and UXO casualties,” he noted.
Sokha urged governors across the country to conduct inspections. He stressed the importance of inspecting driver’s licences and especially focusing on container trucks with obstructed visibility, which poses a risk for all road users.
“That necessitates our active participation and increased efforts. The involvement of relevant ministries, institutions and all stakeholders, including the general population, is fundamental in enforcing traffic laws. It is imperative that all individuals uphold the laws with utmost responsibility,” he said.
A recent report from the interior ministry revealed that in 2023, there were a total of 3,317 accidents, an increase of 341 over 2022, up by 11 per cent. The incidents resulted in 1,590 fatalities and 4,515 injuries, with 55 per cent occurring at night.
During the meeting, Min Manavy, secretary of state at the transport ministry, noted that in 2023, police fined nearly 75,000 drivers for law violations. Phnom Penh recorded the highest number of road accidents at 950, followed by Preah Sihanouk province with 306 and Takeo province with 270.