The Ministry of Public Works and Transport said it had inspected over 1.5 million vehicles nationwide between December last year and this month. Hong Menea
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport on Thursday reported that it had inspected over 1.5 million vehicles between December last year and this month, in a continued effort to address the Kingdom’s road safety concerns.
“No matter how much money the government spends on building quality roads, they will degrade if we do not care for them and allow transportation companies to overload vehicles with goods,” said Minister Sun Chanthol.
The ministry’s 2019 wrap-up and 2020 action plan report showed that of the 1,578,031 vehicles inspected, 155,022 were found to be illegally modified; 16,771 were sub-standard, and 406 lorries had had extensions cut off due to excess carriage during the 11 months.
The offences garnered 614 million riel ($150,000) in fines.
The report also said of the 3,950 auto-collision repair shops and modification garages it inspected, 725 were not certified.
Meanwhile, traffic law enforcement in areas around the Kingdom’s two main ports between June and November last year garnered fines of 319 million riel ($78,000).
Inspections of 15,487 vehicles around the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port and Sihanoukville Autonomous Port during the period caught 881 drivers breaking road traffic laws, 575 drivers did not have valid paperwork, 1,087 drivers failed to abide by technical standards and three drove under the influence of alcohol, while a lorry had to be impounded.
A truck stops at a weigh station along National Road 7. Facebook
Chanthol said the ministry had requested the cooperation of relevant institutions to ensure that vehicles followed technical standards. He also called on the public to ensure they complied with traffic laws.
“Putting a halt to traffic offences will assist in the smooth flow of traffic and transportation, boost investments, increase trade volumes and reduce traffic accidents.
“The relevant officials are obliged to enforce the law on overloaded and illegally modified vehicles, and other offences to ensure, that roads are kept durable and sustainable, Chanthol said.
Coalition of Road Safety senior adviser Lim Sokchea told The Post on Thursday that while he supported the ministry’s measures, the authorities needed to better enforce laws against drink-driving.
“We suggest the relevant officials not only take action against overloaded vehicles and illegally modified ones, but also against those caught speeding. Many traffic accidents are caused by speeding and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” she said.
