Traffic accident danger looms large over Cambodia

04/04/2010
VOV News/VNA (Hanoi)

Traffic accident is still a serious threat, claiming numerous lives in Cambodia, said an official from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Toch Chan Kosal, Secretary of State at the Ministry, said there were over 21,500 traffic accidents in the country last year, up 4 percent over the previous year.

The number of deaths by traffic accidents ranks second, only after HIV/AIDS, the official said, adding that about 1,700 people died and 7,000 others were injured in traffic accidents in the country last year.

According to him, the increasing figures are attributable to low awareness among a part of the local population who do not abide by traffic rules, exceed speed limits or drive drunk.

It is estimated that the Cambodian economy has lost more than US$250 million in property and treatment costs related to traffic accidents and their victims.

Traffic Deaths Doubled in Five Years: Officials

(Photo: DAP news)

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 April 2010

Cambodia’s economy lost nearly $250 million to traffic accidents in 2009, officials said Friday, calling traffic fatalities a second “disaster” behind HIV and AIDs.

More than 1,700 people died in road accidents in 2009, a number twice as high as five years ago, Toch Chan Kosal, secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told reporters Friday.

The number of total reported accidents last year was 21,519, killing 1,717 people and seriously injuring another 7,022, he said, releasing study figures.

Handicap International said the accidents cost Cambodia $248 million.

“The lost money is a greater amount than we had guessed, as the Cambodian government is working hard to reduce poverty,” Toch Chan Kosal said. “We have not reduced the effects of traffic accidents.”

“The number of deaths in traffic accidents continues to increase, year to year, without stopping,” he said.

Accidents were caused by vehicles traveling at high speeds and limited knowledge among drivers, Jeroen Stol, president of Handicap International, said.

Statistics suggest that accidents are getting deadlier. A joint study by Handicap International and the government found that in 2008, the number of wounded fell 17 percent, but the number of fatal accidents rose 4 percent.

However, the study also showed that the number of accidents measured per 10,000 vehicles was decreasing, from 15.1 in 2008 to 12.3 in 2009. The government has established a national policy to reduce the numbers of accidents, victims and deaths and is aiming for a target of 7 deaths per 10,000 vehicles this year.

Nearly 80 percent of head injuries belonged to motorcycle drivers, and about 90 percent of all accidents were caused by drivers violating speed limits, drunk driving or illegally passing.

Number of traffic accident deaths increasing significantly

Monday, March 17, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The number of people dead from traffic accidents, especially among the youths, is increasing significantly all over the country. Last week’s report by Handicap International indicated that at least 125 people died, and 576 were injured in the country during December 2007. This number shows an increase of 32% when compared to the same period in 2006. On Thursday, Hun Sen declared that traffic accident is the second killer in Cambodia, following AIDS. Sem Panhavuth, Handicap International spokesman, told VOA that 83 people died because of head injuries. He said that among those who died, only 4 wore safety helmets.

Cambodia alarmed over rise in traffic fatalities

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 13-(Kyodo), Cambodia is experiencing yearly increases in traffic fatalities, with an average of four people killed daily in 2006 compared with only three the previous year, according to a report Monday.

The figures were contained in a report released by the Cambodia Road Traffic Accident and Victim Information System, a joint project involving the Cambodian government and Handicap International Belgium.

Cambodia's traffic fatality rate, calculated in comparison with the number of inhabitants, is still low compared to neighbor countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. But it is among the region's highest when calculated in comparison with the number of vehicles in use in the country and the length of the paved road network.

In June, 1,531 casualties were reported, among them 103 deaths. Most involved motorbike users who were not wearing helmets.

In Phnom Penh, the capital, fatalities increased by 6 percent during the first six months in 2007 compared with the same period last year, though the number decreased by 3 percent in the provinces.

Human error is responsible for more than 90 percent of road accidents in Cambodia, the report said, citing high speed, non-respect of give way rules and drunk driving.

Other factors are play include the fast-growing vehicle ownership rate, the newly developed road infrastructure allowing speed increases and the heterogeneous traffic mix, combined with weak enforcement of traffic regulations and lack of road safety education.

Chum Iak, vice chairman of the National Road Safety Committee, said Asian countries have set a common goal of reducing traffic fatalities to five per 10,000 vehicles by 2010 and to two by 2020.

Last year, there were 18 fatalities per 1,000 registered vehicles in Cambodia.

Amid Rising Traffic Deaths, Words of Caution

Poch Reasey, VOA Khmer
Washington
16/07/2007

Cambodia is seeing an increase in traffic accidents, causing city planners and transport officials to worry.

Phnom Penh has seen a full one-third increase in fatal traffic accidents in the first months of 2007, compared to the same months last year, the Cambodia Daily reported.

Rising incomes and falling prices have meant more vehicles on the road, according to Ung Chun Huor, director of the transportation department at the Ministry of Public Works, and Sann Socheata, a road safety program officer at Handicap International, both of whom were guests on "Hello VOA" Monday.

Sann Socheata said the greatest problem with the traffic was a lack of enforcement of already existing laws.

"The government should enforce the new traffic law," Sann Socheata said.

Individual citizens can also watch their own safety, Ung Chun Huor said.

"When you are coming home, think about coming home in one piece to see your family," he said.