In an effort to tighten traffic regulations, police officers have conducted numerous operations, issuing demerit points to errant motorists and issuing fines to the owners of unsafe vehicles. They also carried out extensive drug testing of drivers suspected to be impaired.

In the first six months of the year, over 30,000 demerit points were deducted from nearly 70,000 driver’s licenses, with more than 60,000 drivers fined, according to a report by the National Road Traffic Safety Committee (NRSC), presented during a recent review meeting. More than 5,000 motorists underwent drug testing, it added. 

Officers fined the owners of 64,296 vehicles, or 79 per cent of the almost 85,000 vehicles inspected. Among them, 48,703 were motorcycles, representing 76 per cent of the violations, 

Deputy National Police chief Chav Hak informed the meeting attendees that during the first six months of the year, a total of 31,741 demerit points were deducted from 69,480 licenses. This included 2,057 points from motorcycles larger than 125cc, 28,956 points from light vehicles like cars and 754 points from heavy vehicles. 

Hak was unavailable for further comment on the matter on Friday, September 20.

The demerit point system came into effect on January 1, 2023, with the aim of enhancing the enforcement of road traffic laws and reducing the number of accidents.

Each new license has 12 points, while 1 to 6 can be deducted depending on the type of violation. Multiple deductions can be enforced, with a maximum loss of 8 points per incident, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Drivers who have points deducted can attend a two-day theory course at the transport ministry and regain up to 4 points. The trainings may only be attended once every six months.

If a driver keeps a clean license for three years without further deductions, a clean license will be restored.

Once all 12 points have been deducted the license will be revoked, and the individual must wait six months before reapplying for another.

The same report also revealed that drug testing operations were carried out 196 times. 5,441 drivers were tested, with 179 identified as being under the influence of narcotics. They included 90 heavy vehicle operators and the drivers of 28 light vehicles and cars.

Of the 1,534 accidents recorded by the authorities from January-June, 793 resulted in fatalities.

Officials filed 768 cases with the courts. Investigations are ongoing in 51 cases, while 4 have been resolved. Just 71 drivers were referred to the judiciary. 

Of the recorded accidents, 110 took place on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, 44 of them at night. Eight people were killed and 30 injured on the expressway.

In light of the Kan Ben and Pchum Ben Festival, which run from September 18 to October 3, Minister of Interior Sar Sokha, chairman of the NRSC, urged all road users to be vigilant and adhere to the Kingdom’s traffic laws to prevent accidents.

He noted a significant increase in traffic during major national holidays, along with a notable rise in accidents, casualties and property damage. 

Sokha advised drivers to reduce speed, adhere to traffic laws and adapt to the conditions, whether in crowded areas, near schools, on curved roads, intersections or slippery roads, and to respect right-of-way signs.

He also warned that taxis and busses should not exceed their legal maximum passenger capacity and must not carry passengers on the roof. 

“Drivers and passengers in vehicles must wear seat belts at all times. Motorcyclists should always wear helmets, regardless of the distance they are travelling, and drivers should regularly check the condition of their vehicles, especially, tyres, steering systems, brakes and lights,” he said.

Sokha reminded the public that adherence to the law, caution, safety, and mutual understanding are essential for safe driving.