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.