Tcaffic Deaths, Accidents Reported Down for Feb '09

Cambodia Daily
Friday, O5 June 2009

The number of traffic casualties in February the most recent month for which data are available dropped 10 percent around the country compared to the same period last year, while traffic accidents declined by 23 percent, according to a monthly report released by the Cambodian Road Traffic Accident and Victim Information System. Sem Panhavuth, manager for RTAVIS, attributed the drop to Chinese New Year celebrations taking place in January and not February this year. 'The number of casualties, accidents increase on the Chinese New Year, Khmer New Year," he said, explaining that last year the holiday was in February. Mr. Panhavuth added that there is evidence in the new report that the number of motorbike drivers wearing helmets in the capital also decreased in February.He said motorbike drivers
injured or killed in accidents in January were wearing helmets while only 182
were wearing helmets in February.During the first week of January when the law was first implemented, around 80 percent of motorcycle drivers in Phnom Penh wore helmets, Mr Panhavuth said, citing a study by Handicap International. However, he added, that figure has dropped to around 56 percent according to the study. (Clancy McGilligan)