A traffic accident in Siem Reap on July 23. FB
The 2023 general election period, which was made a public holiday to enable eligible voters to travel to their hometowns to vote, saw a remarkable surge in road accidents that left at least six people dead and 50 others injured.
According to National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun, 31 road accidents were recorded nationwide during the three-day holiday, from July 22 to 24.
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“Human error and vehicle faults are the prime culprits behind these mishaps,” Khoeun observed.
“Breaking the speed limit is the cause in 40 per cent of cases, followed by failure to give way at 20 per cent, not keeping to the right 12 per cent, dangerous overtaking eight per cent, fatigue eight per cent, and vehicle defects 12 per cent,” he detailed.
Kim Khoeun called on the media to assist authorities in spreading awareness and educating road users about traffic laws.
“Respecting one another on the road, understanding each other’s rights and priorities, and showing tolerance are essential for our safety and that of our families. These values are vital for the security and prosperity of our society,” he added.
Kim Pagna, director of the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, provided some comparative analysis on July 25. He noted that the number of traffic accidents during the election period was lower than average. Normally, the country experiences an average of five deaths a day, but the three-day period saw six deaths in total.
“However, the death toll of six is still alarmingly high. It’s evident that we need to implement more measures to address the problem of fatalities and injuries from road accidents,” he emphasised.
Pagna also indicated that the lower rate of accidents during the election could be due to reduced traffic and the prohibition of alcohol sales.
“I endorse the ban on alcohol sales during holidays, particularly on sacred days as seen in Myanmar and Thailand. This practice significantly cuts down the accident rate,” he argued.
Pagna advocated for stricter traffic enforcement, implemented both day and night throughout the country. He believes that this could reduce the rate of accidents, and more importantly, lower the national death toll.
