The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has invited more than 10,000 company representatives to attend a road traffic law training course.

The training is to educate company managers so they understand the traffic law and can pass the knowledge to their employees.

The ministry invited 60 representatives from 22 companies to attend the first training course on July 24.

“After completing this course, we plan to invite more than 10,000 transport companies that registered with the Ministry of Commerce to also attend the traffic law training.

“We do this so key personnel gain knowledge to pass on to their colleagues,” said the ministry’s Road Traffic Safety Department director Prom Vantha.

He told those in attendance that staff training will help their employees understand the traffic rules and apply them when they drive on the road.

“In addition, it’s to enable private institutions to understand the road traffic law and join the government in preventing traffic accidents in Cambodia,” Vantha said.

Ministry of Public Works and Transport secretary of state Min Manvy said traffic accidents are hidden killers and take the lives of five to six people per day.

“Traffic accident prevention is not just for ministries and police. It is about respecting the law. That is why we invite stakeholders to meet and learn. Then we can effectively reduce traffic accidents,” she said.

Cambodia Logistics Association (CLA) president Sin Chanthy said he supported the training because some drivers do not understand traffic laws. The training can give them the opportunity to ask questions.

“My association has more than 100 transport company members. So if they get additional training, I think it would be very good. And I call on my members to participate in this training. Normally, if we know the law, know the prohibitions or know how to store the right goods, it will not be illegal.”

Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation director Kim Panha said on Sunday that he also supports the training. He said he wants to create more programmes to educate workers and the public so that drivers know the law.

“We will continue to push for greater education outreach and plan to have a major press conference this year. We must work together to encourage officials and employees of private companies. The law has to be enforced strictly, transparently and fairly,” he said.

A report by the National Road Safety Committee said the number of traffic accidents declined by about 25 per cent in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.

In the past six months, there have been 1,616 traffic accidents resulting in 861 deaths, 1,518 serious injuries, and 934 minor ones.