The aftermath of a February accident in Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district which left three people dead. Provincial police
According to a senior official, excessive speed remains the leading cause of traffic accidents in Cambodia. Although the road toll has declined, Minister of Interior Sar Sokha has described stricter enforcement of speed limits as the “antidote” to the issue of speeding drivers.
In the first quarter of 2025, the authorities recorded 543 traffic accidents, a decrease of 238 cases or 30% compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 781 cases. The number of deaths fell to 348 deaths, a decrease of 39 people or 10%. The number of injuries also dropped by 367 people, or 34%, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
Excessive speed was determined as the major factor in 51% of the accidents, followed by a failure to give way at 21% andfailing to keep right at 10%. Dangerous overtaking caused just 10% of crashes, while the official statistics claimed that just 5% of the incidents were caused by driving under the influence.
Speaking at the 16th annual National Road Safety Week held this week in Prey Veng province, Sokha, who also chairs the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC), explained that he believed that stricter enforcement of speed limits is key to reducing accident statistics.
“If we work together to reduce the illness we suffer from the most – which is speeding, at 51% – I believe we can bring the number under 1,000 [deaths per year] within the next two to three years. Is that still a lot? Yes. But we have no other choice. As we continue to develop, we must also understand the importance enforcing the law,” he said.
In 2024, at least 1,509 people died from traffic accidents, down 81, or 5% compared to 2023.
Sokha also addressed public criticism of traffic police officers issuing fines for speeding violations.
“If you don’t speed, no one will fine you. The fines are not based on visual estimates – they are verified by radar. So rather than blaming traffic officers or law enforcement, who are seen as some kind of virus, people should realise they are the ones healing the ‘illness’ of speeding,” he said.
He urged the public to reconsider complaining about receiving tickets, particularly regarding speeding, explaining that police are not motivated by revenue, but by the need to protect the safety of road users. If drivers do not break the speed limit, there would be no reason for enforcement – and they would remain safe.
The 16th National Road Safety Week aims to raise public awareness of the risks associated with road accidents and to encourage caution.
It serves as a message to all road users to remember that Cambodia can reduce the road toll – but only if everyone does their part to obey traffic laws, drive responsibly, show respect and understanding, and value both their own lives and the lives of others.
