Chinese New Year: Over 20 Fatalities in Traffic Accidents
A total of 23 people have died and 41 have been injured in traffic accidents during the three days of Chinese New Year, according to a report from the Ministry of Interior. Photo: National Police
- By Lay Sopheavotey
- February 12, 2024 6:10 PM
PHNOM PENH - A total of 23 people have died and 41 have been injured in traffic accidents during the three days of Chinese New Year, according to a report from the Ministry of Interior.
Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said 35 traffic crashes took place between Feb. 09-11.
“[A total of] 41 lightly and seriously injured [people] are being treated at public and private hospitals, and some are being treated at home,” Sokhak said.
“Traffic is one of the six priority issues in which law enforcement has to be strengthened, particularly when it comes to alcohol testing at night.
“Those six critical issues include drugs, traffic, criminal cases, gang cases, human trafficking and border crimes involving land and water,” he said.
In 2023, road accidents mostly took place in Phnom Penh and the provinces of Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Takeo, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Tboung Khmum and Pailin.
Sokhak said these provinces must put more effort into preventing road traffic accidents this year.
Interior Minister Sar Sokha has also urged the Capital-Provincial Road Safety Sub-Committee to pay closer attention to speeding, drunk driving, customized vehicles that have a color-shaded windshield, and those fleeing the scene after road accidents. Sokha said strict legal action should be enforced, adding that perpetrators must be arrested immediately on the spot.
According to the 2023 report, a total of 3,317 road accidents took place last year, with 55 percent of them happening at night. A total of 1,590 people reportedly died and 4,515 were injured.
The main causes of those accidents were speeding, competing with other drivers and not driving on the right-hand side of the road, vehicle factors and drunk driving.
Cambodians with Chinese ancestry gathered their families and honored their ancestors during Chinese New Year Celebrations from Feb. 9 to 11. Some traveled across provinces for family gatherings in their respective hometown.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
