The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 678
“Phnom Penh: To help prevent and reduce the number of deaths in traffic accidents, the Global Road Safety Partnership and Handicap International Belgium collaborated with the National Road Safety Committee to organize a workshop about the draft of a ten years road traffic safety plan 2011-2020 at the Sunway Hotel on 12 August 2010.
“A Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior and deputy head of the National Road Safety Committee, Mr. Khan Savoeun, said that in recent years, the number of deaths in traffic accidents rose alarmingly. According to a report of the Ministry of Interior, within six months of 2010, there were 3,040 traffic accidents and 6,346 victims, where 913 people were killed, 2,853 seriously injured, and 2,562 lightly injured. According to a report on traffic accidents in 2009 by Handicap International Belgium, among the victims 75% were motorbike drivers, where 35% died because of head injuries as they did not wear helmets, 49% drove over the speed limit, and 13% were drunk while driving. In 2009, traffic accidents made Cambodia waste US$248 million.
“Mr. Khan Savoeun added that according to a survey by the Ministry of Health about helmet use by motorbike drivers in 2009, 72% of the drivers wore helmets during the day and 46% at night. He called especially on travelers to join to prevent and lessen traffic accidents by trying to obey the law to wear helmets, to fasten seat belts, not to drive over the speed limit, and not to drive when drunk. Only participation from all travelers can help prevent and cut down traffic accidents, as it is said in a slogan ‘Traffic Safety Starts from Me’ – and it is stated in the goals of ASEAN countries’ plans. If they do not join, all road safety plans will not succeed.” Koh Santepheap, Vol.43, #7035, 16.8.2010
This article was first published by The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 678 - Monday, 16.8.2010
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Norbert Klein is the Editor of The Mirror – The Mirror is a daily comprehensive summary and translation of the major Khmer language press - More about The Mirror