Road Safety: Accidents down during New Year

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/

Written by Khoun Leakhana
Monday, 20 April 2009

Traffic police across Cambodia have reported a drop in the number of traffic accidents during the Khmer New Year compared with the three-day holiday period last year. "Now Cambodian people have learned more about road accidents," Hem Ya, the deputy of the traffic police in Phnom Penh, said on Sunday. From Tuesday to Thursday last week, there were 10 major traffic accidents in Phnom Penh, which killed four people and seriously injured 11. During the same period in 2008, there were 15 major accidents, killing eight people and seriously injuring 13. Police in Prey Veng and Battambang reported similar drops. Sath Kim San, Battambang province's traffic police chief, said, "We notice that road accidents always happen during national celebrations.... Most are caused by drunkenness, speeding and traffic violations."