Thursday, April 20, 2006

33 traffic deaths nationwide over Cambodia's New Year

Thirty-three people died during the three-day Khmer New Year and approximately 500 people were injured in traffic accidents, local media reported on Thursday.

The highest number of death reported this holiday occurred in Banteay Meanchey province, where seven passengers died, The Cambodia Daily quoted Ung Chenhour as saying, who is director of the transportation department at the Transportation Ministry.

In Kandal province, 26 traffic accidents claimed five lives and left 20 people critically injured and 51 passengers slightly injured.

In Siem Reap, the home of world well-known Angkor temples, two people died, four were critically injured and five were slightly injured.

While three accidents were reported in the seaside city Sihanoukville, in which two people died and three people were critically injured.

Given the large amount of traffic in the seaside town, the casualty rate was lower than expected.
"Based on the traffic police reports alone we can see a slight increase in the number of accidents but a decrease in the number of fatalities," Handicap International Road Safety Project Coordinator Jean Van Wetter said of this year's casualty rate compared to 2005.

"Overall it is about the same as last year," he added.

Cambodians spent their three days for Khmer New Year which began on Friday through Sunday.

Source: Xinhua

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