Victims lost their lives in the accident in Banteay Meanchey province on November 19. POLICE
The three days of Water Festival this year saw the number of injuries drop compared to last year’s holiday, however this year also saw an increase in deaths.
According to a report from the National Police’s Department of Traffic Police and Public Order on November 20 there were 22 deaths and 44 serious and minor injuries recorded in 33 traffic accidents over the holiday, which ran from November 18-20.
The report said that in the same period in 2020 there was a total of 19 deaths and 53 serious and minor injuries recorded in 36 traffic accidents.
“Phnom Penh had the most fatal traffic accidents, followed by Pursat, Battambang, Prey Veng, Kratie and Svay Rieng provinces. 14 people were killed in accidents in the capital and those five provinces,” the traffic department report said.
The report further stated that the accidents were caused by speeding, disrespecting driving rights or the right-of-way rule, dangerous overtaking/passing, making a dangerous turns and drunk driving.
Kong Sovann, a public health specialist and director of the International Safety Fund (ISF), told The Post on November 21 that the number of traffic accidents had decreased, but the death toll had still gone up and therefore relevant ministries and institutions needed to identify the specific factors involved with traffic deaths.
“Before the Water Festival the National Road Safety Committee and the Cambodian Red Cross instructed drivers to take greater care, but to no avail. The message may not have been effective or it may have been targeted at the wrong group, because we clearly failed to reach them,” he said.
He added that the traffic safety information seemed to be reaching the vulnerable groups targeted, but not the offenders.
“How effective have the campaigns been so far? We can measure it because the goal of these education campaigns is to prevent deaths and serious injuries leading to permanent disability or loss.
“This requires that the National Road Safety Committee, coordinators from all ministries, civil society groups and the private sector find more effective methods and means of education,” Sovann said.
