Starting on May 1, road traffic violations will carry heftier fines. Motorists who do not wear a helmet or wear it inappropriately will be fined a minimum of 60,000 riel ($15). Hean Rangsey
The National Police recently trained nearly 4,000 police officers in preparation to implement new traffic laws on May 1 that will see a three to five-fold increase in fines for traffic violations.
National Police chief Neth Savoeun said in an April 27 letter to Minister of Interior Sar Kheng that 3,919 policemen will enforce the new laws.
This includes 3,507 traffic police officers and 412 cooperative police officers. They will be supplied with 364 vehicles – 66 cars and 298 motorbikes.
Vocational training has also been provided to 3,978 traffic police officers to enhance their skills of inspection and intervention.
Officers also received guidance on how to perform their duties with a sense of morality and discipline.
The new traffic sub-decrees were announced to the public and disseminated through Facebook, TV and radio, noted the letter.
“All 25 capital and provincial police commissariats and speciality departments have created action plans on how to strengthen the implementation of road traffic laws in 2020. The National Police targeted 568 locations to strengthen the law,” added the letter.
Drivers who do not wear a helmet or wear one inappropriately will be fined a minimum of 60,000 riel ($15), according to the sub-decree.
Motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol will be levied with hefty fines.
Two and three-wheeled motorists with a blood alcohol content of 0.40mg per litre of air or 0.80g or higher per litre of blood will be fined one million riel.
For lightweight lorry drivers, the fine is two million riel for the same violation while heavy lorry drivers will be fined four million riel.
If drivers are caught driving under the influence of alcohol twice within six months, the traffic police will file a report and send the case to court for legal procedure.
Drivers who violate traffic laws may also have their vehicles seized by the National Police.
National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun told The Post on Monday that police forces are ready to implement the law.
Institute for Road Safety director Kong Ratanak said he noticed messages on social media posted by the National Police alerting citizens of the new sub-decree.
“The National Police have already started disseminating the new sub-decree, but we cannot yet determine how many citizens are aware of the new law, so the dissemination should be continued,” he said.
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