Official launch of the new land traffic law

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The launch of the new land traffic law was celebrated in the morning of 11 September 2007 at the Olympic Stadium under the presence of Sok An, the vice-prime minister and minister at the council of ministers, and several embassy officials in Cambodia. The launching day of the new traffic law is very meaningful because it will be accompanied by public education so that people clearly understand this law, such as for example, the use of helmets, the use of safety belts, not to drink alcohol while driving, not to drive over the speed limit, etc… Currently, traffic accidents constitute the second highest danger in Cambodia behind AIDS. In 2006, in average, there were 4 deaths and 71 injured per day, this number represents a net increase over the statistics from previous years. Sok An called the launching of the new traffic law a wake up call for Cambodian people to change their attitude if they do not clearly understand about the traffic law and the respect of the traffic law during their travels or during their driving.

Police officers stationed at all stop lights [-Not for demanding bribes, Kep Chuktema claimed]

Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

At a meeting held by the city of Phnom Penh, Kep Chuktema, the governor of Phnom Penh, said that the new traffic law went into effect officially on 01 September, therefore, he ordered the posting of police and military police officers at all 38 light stops in the city of Phnom Penh, in order to efficiently put into application this new traffic law, starting 03 September. He said that there should not be any wait for a meeting to inform about this law. Kep Chuktema ordered the posting of 5 civilian police officers and 5 military police officers at each stop light to put into application the new law. Kep Chuktema said that the application of the law does not mean that the 10 police officers stationed at each stop light should stop vehicles to demand bribes, but only for them to stop these vehicles to explain to their owners about the new traffic law. He said that he ordered the cops not to fine the motorists, however, should fine be issued, receipts must be provided by the Ministry of Interior or by the Ministry of Finance. If no receipts are provided for the fines, the cops involved can be sentenced to jail between 6 months to 3 years. Kep Chuktema said that the cops at the stop lights must call in motorists to explain about the traffic law after 9:00 AM only, in order to avoid creating traffic jams.