Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said in a Facebook post on January 1 that 2,670 road accidents happened in 2021 compared to 3,176 road accidents in 2020, a decrease of 16 per cent. SAR KHENG VIA FACEBOOK
The number of fatal road accidents decreased in 2021 as compared to 2020, but officials say more must be done to tackle the problem.
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said in a Facebook post on January 1 that 2,670 road accidents happened in 2021 compared to 3,176 road accidents in 2020, a decrease of 16 per cent.
“The number of deaths was 1,497 as compared to 1,646 in 2020, a decrease of 149 deaths or 9 per cent. The number of injuries was 3,615 and a decrease of 1,071 or about 23 per cent, compared to 2020 with 4,686 injuries,” according to the Facebook post.
The Facebook post added that the causes of the accidents in 2021 was mainly speeding, which accounted for 38 per cent of the total. Not respecting other vehicles’ right of way caused 24 per cent, passing other vehicles in dangerous conditions caused 8 per cent, turning left and right in a careless manner caused 8 per cent and drunk-driving was responsible for 4 per cent of road accidents.
The Facebook post announced that the drop in the deaths and injuries showed the effectiveness of the people's participation in following the road traffic law and that the police at all levels had implemented the law professionally and actively.
Sar Kheng emphasised that although the results showed a drop in both the rate of deaths and injuries the current traffic accident situation is still a tragedy for the Cambodian people, leaving thousands of people each year dead and injured or their property damaged.
He called again on the people to follow the law consistently when they travel, be careful and drive with a mutual understanding to protect other road users from danger.
Sar Kheng reminded the police to increase the strict enforcement of the law without exception or empathy as they have the duty to protect the health, safety and lives of the people.
He also called on relevant institutions to install additional traffic signals, lights and other signs as a reminder for drivers to obey the law in order to avoid accidents and to continue to educate people on the law on a regular basis in both urban and rural areas.
