The government, civil society organisations and the private sector are conducting the 5th Safe Driving Campaign to encourage obedience to the road traffic laws in order to reduce casualties.

In a joint press release, the participating institutions said the campaign will run for five days from November 10-16 in Phnom Penh.

The campaign is focused on respect for the road traffic law and uses the slogan 'One Helmet, One Life’ to encourage helmet use on motorcycles, the press release said.

The campaign is designed to warn drivers that violations of the traffic law can result in the loss of their life and that obeying it will save them money, it said.

Participating NGO Sipar said traffic accidents remain the leading cause of casualties in Cambodia. From January to September, a total of 1,888 road accidents resulting in 1,058 deaths were recorded.

“With the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cambodia's traffic problems are an unnecessary additional burden for the nation. Since 2020, the National Committee for Road Safety has been strengthening the implementation of the road traffic law in an effort to reduce the number of road deaths, it said.

The NGO expected that the campaign would help raise awareness and adherence to the law and that various partners will organise activities related to it throughout the week including online trivia contests with questions on topics related to the road traffic law.

Sok Tivoan, a truck driver who is participating in the campaign, said: "Some drivers know a few traffic rules but they do not know everything and anything that gets people to learn how to drive more safely could help save lives."