Helmet wearing enforcement start from January 2009

Welcome Speech of

H.E. Ouk Kim Lek Deputy Commissioner of National Police

Press Conference on

Awareness Campaign and Road Traffic Law Enforcement

“Safety Helmet Wearing In Phnom Penh”

- My Respect to Your Excellency and the Chairs!

- Representatives from Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), Handicap International Belgium (HIB) and other NGOs!

- And Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen within this Press Conference.

On behalf of H.E General Commissioner of National Police and on behalf of myself, I am glade to warmly welcome the support to make this Press Conference on Awareness Campaign and Road Traffic Law Enforcement “Safety Helmet Wearing In Phnom Penh” possible.

Yesterday, National Road Safety Committee organized a workshop on Helmet Standard presided by H.E Savoeun KHAN, Secretary of State of Ministry of Interior with the involvement from senior representatives of Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy. It was focused on compulsory of requirement and assurance of Helmet Standard for motorbike and motor tricycle riders.

It has been seen that transportation means and all types of vehicle have increased dramatically, particularly motorcycle and motor tricycle with an estimation of more than 500.000 or 80% of road transportation means. The road crash remains increased noticeably causing more than 4 died and other 70 injured daily, or equal to 17.8% of fatality per 10.000 registered vehicles. It is the highest rate in ASEAN region. Motor cycle or motor tricycle account for the highest rate, 63% fatalities, 75% casualties and 40% head injury.

After the road traffic law came into effect in September 2007, the relevant ministries such as Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Ministry of Interior have enforced it actively. General Commissariat of National Police has conducted a pilot enforcement within 5 provinces, Phnom Penh, Kandal province, Kampong Chand province, Sihanouk vil and Battambang province. During the piloting, the police conducted education awareness to all riders/drivers on helmet wearing in accordance with Notice No 283 issued on October 6^th, 2008 by General Commissariat of National Police. It informed the public that the fining of not wearing helmet – chapter 10 of road traffic law – will be made from January 1^st, 2009.

General Commissariat of National Police has developed a realistic plan to promote and strengthen the safety helmet wearing enforcement as the following:

1. Educate the public the importance of wearing a helmet and the positive impact of wearing a helmet while riding;

2. Encourage all national polices to be the models on helmet wearing;

3. Order the police force to act as both traffic law educator and traffic law enforcers by fining in a consistent manner.

However, the even though the plan and measures have been developed, the enforcement has not been yet accomplished effectively and bring about satisfactory. It is due the following challenges:

1. It is conflict with the habit, inconvenient to turn the head and difficult to keep.

2. The education and awareness on importance or wearing helmet and the consequence of not wearing helmet is not broadly made.

3. We lack of financial support.

4. Civil servants and armed force have not yet act as a model on helmet wearing.

5. There is the absence of forcing and fining on those riders who do not wearing helmet.

Regarding the road traffic law, article 9 should be taken for re-consideration. It requires only the riders to wear the helmets, but it is obviously seen that most of the passengers also have head injury or even more than the riders. If we look at traffic law, the police are not permitted to force the passengers to wear helmets.

Conclusion:

General Commissariat of National Police has decided and determined that in January 1^st, 2009 will be date when the police start checking and fining those riders who do not wearing helmet. This action will be taken in an active manner till all riders have the habit of wearing helmets.

At the same time, General Commissariat of National Police will be enforcing other article as well such as: number plate, riding license, over loading, rear vision mirror and not respecting the traffic signs … etc since they are the main causes leading to traffic congestion and serious collision.

At last, on behalf of General Commissariat of National Police, I would like to solemnly announce that I take action to enforce the law effectively in order to reduce road crash, aligning the policy of the government. .

I would like to wish all of you to accomplish a great achievement in New Road Traffic Land Law.