Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 21 – At least 1,980 people were killed and 6,140 others injured in over 4,000 cases of road crashes for the whole year of 2019, according to National Road Safety Committee’s report issued on 21 January 2020.

The crashes increased by 26 percent compared to 2018; the death toll rose by 12 percent, while the number of injuries by 29 percent.

Based on these figures, an average of 5.4 dies every day on the roads. Most of the road accidents occurred in Phnom Penh, causing 348 deaths, followed by Sihanoukville 149 and Kandal Province 143.

The causes of accidents include speeding, overtaking, drunk driving, and violating traffic laws, the report said. Other challenges include small-size road structure, increased transportation demand, damaged or lacks of traffic control signage, lack of sidewalk management, and limited law enforcement.

At the annual road safety meeting held Tuesday, 21 January, at the ministry, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, who is chairman of the Road Safety Committee, has expressed concern over the alarming rate of traffic accidents. He urged for effective and strict law enforcement.
=FRESH NEWS