Authorities have wasted no time in making sure drivers obey the new Traffic Law that came into force on New Year’s Day, fining or “educating” over 24,000 road users in the first three days, part of a nationwide effort to encourage motorcyclists and others to follow the new rules.

Deputy director of the order department of the Ministry of Interior, Ty Long, said at a press conference yesterday that on January 3 alone, police had checked 30,312 vehicles and found 8,898 that had violated laws.

“The owners of 5,226 vehicles were educated [without a fine], while 3,672 drivers were issued a fine and 73 vehicles were impounded, most of which were failing to carry a number plate,” he said.

On the first day the new rules were applied, 7,519 vehicles were found to be in contravention of traffic laws, according to deputy National Police chief Hem Yan.

Of these offenders, 4,543 were let off without a fine, while 2,925 drivers were made to pay a penalty. More than 100 motorbikes were impounded.

“During the implementation, 80 per cent of people have perfectly obeyed the rules, and only a small number of people have not shown respect for the law,” Hem Yan said.

He added that the majority of violations involved motorcyclists and their passengers failing to wear helmets, which results in a 15,000 riel (about $3.75) fine, payable at a police station.

The director of the Institute for Road Safety, Ear Chariya, was supportive of efforts to implement the new rules, but said the public should be given more time to understand what was expected of them.