A man (centre) was held by Phnom Penh Police after blowing an alcohol level of 0.92, far beyond the maximum level, on the night of January 27. Phnom Penh Police
The National Police has launched a campaign to screen drivers for alcohol following Prime Minister Hun Manet’s directive.
This initiative is in response to a recent spate of fatal road incidents caused by drunk drivers.
In adherence to Manet’s orders, National Police chief Sar Thet convened a meeting with relevant stakeholders last week, opting to conduct the campaign at night, in recognition of the frequency of alcohol-related accidents during night time.
“I instructed the deputy National Police chief overseeing traffic, department heads and relevant authorities, along with police chiefs in both the capital and provinces, to heighten alcohol checks on drivers, particularly at night. This emphasis on night checks is driven by the increasing incidence of traffic accidents, especially those involving motorcycles,” Thet said in a recent interview with Bayon TV.
He said that the police will focus on Phnom Penh and select provinces with higher accident rates. The campaign will be executed with utmost stringency and seriousness.
“Should a driver test positive for alcohol beyond the legal limit, swift legal action will be taken, with no exceptions,” he said.
He also ordered speedy and efficient alcohol checks. Since last week, the police have carried out the nightly campaign from 9 pm to 10, with posted traffic signs indicating the inspection of drivers for alcohol.
“Without tightening measures, reducing the daily count of 10 traffic accidents nationwide remains a challenge,” Thet said.
Manet directed Thet on January 23, to enhance control measures due to numerous recent alarming cases involving intoxicated drivers.
“A few days ago, we witnessed unfortunate traffic accidents, a situation that nobody, not even the drivers themselves, wishes for. The root cause, regrettably, lies in the influence of alcohol. To address this, it is imperative that we take measures to limit its intake, as it significantly impairs our ability to control our actions. It’s crucial that we address this matter to safeguard against such tragic incidents,” he said.
Touch Sokheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior also said that he observed numerous students riding motorcycles without helmets, emphasising that traffic laws apply universally without exemptions.
“We enforce our laws uniformly for all individuals using motorcycles and other vehicles, whether students or monks; wearing a helmet is a requirement. While implementing and disseminating laws is one aspect, our crucial task is also to inform people about these laws,” he said.
He urged parents and school administrators to check and monitor children and students, ensuring proper helmet usage while travelling by motorcycle.
Kim Pagna, country director of the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, stated his support for reinforcing the implementation of traffic laws concerning intoxicated drivers.
He also requested that the police not focus solely on drunk drivers when strengthening law enforcement.
“I ask that the law be strictly applied to all factors posing risks and causing casualties. I also suggest that the law be consistently tightened, not only in response to an increase in traffic accidents,” he said.
