Road Crashes Spike Dramatically during Pchum Ben Holidays according to Road Traffic Accidents and Victim Information System (RTAVIS) statistics

During the annual Pchum Ben Festival, road crashes and casualties on the roads of Cambodia increase dramatically as families hit the roads to return to their home provinces to celebrate this important festival.

According to Road Traffic Accident and Victim Information System (RTAVIS) report, during the seven-day Pchum Ben travel period in 2007, 48 people died and 889 others were injured by road crashes in Cambodia. By comparison, an average of 26 died and 383 injured weekly throughout the calendar year. Similar trends were also apparent during the 2005 and 2006 Pchum Ben Festivals.

The report highlights that 45% of all casualties during Pchum Ben were involved in speed-related crashes, followed by dangerous overtaking at 19%, and drink-driving at 14%. Low helmet wearing rates also account for the high percentage of head trauma casualties during the Festival’s travel period. 39% percent of motorbike users suffered head injuries in crashes; 96% of those were not wearing helmets. National roads are particularly deadly with the increased volume of traffic. National Roads #5 and #6 in particular have the highest accident and casualty rates over Pchum Ben 2007.

The seven-day Pchum Ben travel period for 2008 runs from Friday September 26^th to Thursday October 2^nd, 2008.

Handicap International Belgium would like to urge all road users in Cambodia to drive carefully during this festival period, particularly to reduce speed, avoid alcohol when planning to drive and to wear helmets. It is worth remembering that drivers who speed or drink drive put everyone on the road at risk. All motorcycle drivers and passengers should wear helmets and ensure that they are fastened properly to avoid serious head injury. Passenger overloading on public transport should also be avoided.

Furthermore, Handicap International Belgium would like to urge the national traffic police to enforce the traffic law during the Pchum Ben festival in order to reduce the large number of crashes and casualties throughout this travel period

To raise awareness on risky driving behavior and the importance of road safety during the Pchum Ben festival, Handicap International Belgium will be running public education campaigns on television, radio and the internet. Street-level activities will also be conducted targeting the general public around taxi stations, markets and on selected Phnom Penh roads from September 24^th to 26^th.

June 2008, 98 died and 534 were severely injured

Cambodia Road Traffic Accident and Victim Information System (RTAVIS) report covering the month of June 2008. Here is a summary of the June results:

- A provisional number of 1,777 casualties were reported by the participating hospitals, health centres, private clinics and traffic police departments in the 24 reporting provinces. Among them, 534 were severely injured and 98 died.

- In Phnom Penh, 556 casualties were reported, corresponding to 36% increase compared to June 2007 and 20% increase compared to the previous month. Among them, 33 died.

- Motorbikes’ users account for the largest majority of casualties (79%), followed by pedestrians and bicyclists.

- 67% of fatalities were motorbike’s rider, whereas 2% of them wore a helmet.

- In comparison between the first semester of 2008 and 2007:

o The number of fatalities has increased by 12% in Phnom Penh, and 7% in provinces.

o National road 5 is the most deadly. Number of fatalities has increased by 46% on national road 4 and decreased by 36% on national road 6.

Category of trauma cause by motorbike accident

Here is the fatalities situation get accident by motorbike.

Road safety awareness during Pchum Ben

During Pchum Ben 2007 there are 48 persons died and many others get serious injuries. if compare to 2006 this statistic increase 16 persons.

Protect your life drive safely
protect your life wearing helmet correctly
Protect your life don't drive over speed limit
Protect your life don't drive on overloading vehicle
Protect your life don't drive when drunk

What the traffic police implement now?

Here are some point which traffic police enforcement to road user please read carefully, it really important if you know what point the traffic police enforce and what point the traffic police not yet एनफोर्स

Road Traffic law Enforcement Workshop

H.E Em Sam An said in the open ceremony of Professional Development for Traffic Police Executive Workshop

His Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

The content of our road traffic law needs a good operator to realize the goal of the law. The law enforcement is a factor to deciding on the fate of traffic safety in the country, namely the fate of people and nation as whole. We all have to keep in mind that our people are calling us and waiting for our help. Based on the plan on road traffic law which will be enforce in near future, all operators should have virtue, morality, professional integrity, and adhere to the strictness, truth, and justice, and have a high level of understanding about the law, skills, and technique, have a good cooperation with all national and international institutions, encourage the enforcement of new law with transparency in a bid to minimize offenses and traffic accidents and keep good public orders.

In fact, during the implementation of the plan, we will be faced with new obstacles which will occur eventually, and hence we are supposed to use problem-solving skills such as flexibility and coordination to avert deadlock and urge the plan to proceed according to the set goal. Meanwhile, we have to review and improve some deficiencies on a timely manner and draw up experience on a regular basis in order to increase vigilance.

Through the workshop, I hope that the mental development will further increase trainees’ capacity so that they can take all responsibilities.

The Ministry of Interior will continue to successfully implement the high recommendation of Prime Minister Hun Sen by enhancing the cooperation with national and international communities to seek mental and physical resources and encourage the enforcement of road traffic law more effectively.

The Ministry of Interior would like to highly evaluate and praise HIB for putting mental and physical strengths into traffic safety sector and also would like to thank GRSP for having provided safety helmets and organized the workshop.

I would like to welcome the fruitful results of the workshop and would say that all trainees will use the knowledge gained from the workshop and my recommendations to disseminate to others on a responsible and effective manner.

Finally, I would like to close the workshop on road traffic law enforcement from now on. and bless His Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen with four Buddhist wishes: Longevity, Complexion, Good Health, Strength and Invincibility.