Cambodia Road Traffic Accident And Victim Information System Annual Report 2005

Abstract...

2005 was a crucial year for the improvement of road safety in Cambodia with the creation of the National Road Safety Committee, the adoption of a National Road Safety Action Plan and the elaboration of a new land traffic law.

The National Road Safety Committee, which is chaired by H.E. the Minister of Transport and is composed of high level representatives from various ministries involved in road safety, will be key in leading and coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders to improve road safety.

Cambodia is at the bottom of its vehicle-ownership curve but exponential growth of the number of road traffic casualties is expected in the coming years if no or little action is taken.

2006 will be another critical year with the foreseen adoption of the new land traffic law by the National
Assembly. As the present report will show, human behaviour is indeed by far the leading cause of road
traffic accidents in Cambodia and awareness and education campaigns alone are not sufficient to prevent
them. Increased legal framework and enforcement procedures are now more than ever necessary to
prevent road traffic accidents and make Cambodian roads safer.

Recommendation 1: Adopt the new land traffic law
The first draft of the new land traffic law has been approved by the Council of Ministers and will be now subject to public hearing. The new law will introduce key new elements that are expected to have a strong impact on the road safety situation:
! Every motorcyclist using a motorbike from 49 cc will need to have a driving license1;
! Helmet wearing will be compulsory for all 2-3 motorized wheelers drivers2;
! Fastening seatbelts will be compulsory for all car front seat occupants;
! Blood alcohol concentration limit will be provided;
! Fines and penalties will be better detailed and adapted to the gravity of the infraction.
The new law will then need to be accompanied by several sub-decrees to describe the enforcement mechanisms and their timing. It is indeed, for example, unrealistic to make helmet wearing compulsory
overnight. A transition period, accompanied by effective awareness and education campaigns, will be
necessary.

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- RTAVIS 2005