The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has released a schedule for mobile vehicle checks in 14 provinces where there are no official inspection centres.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the ministry said such mobile inspection services will provide convenience for those living in the provinces of Kampong Thom, Kampot, Svay Rieng, Kep, Pailin, Takeo, Prey Veng, Pursat, Mondulkiri, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Stung Treng, Tbong Khmum and Koh Kong.

It said inspections aimed to minimise accidents caused by sub-standard vehicles travelling on the roads.

The ministry said its two main private partners, CMVIC Inspection and HK Car Inspection, had sent mechanics and equipment to the 14 provinces to provide services for those who had not had their vehicles checked or whose inspection certification had expired.

By law, vehicle inspection certification is valid for two years.

CMVIC’s mobile inspection head Touch Sengley told The Post that since early this month, his working group has provided technical inspection services in Pursat and Oddar Meanchey provinces, and is continuing to provide the services in Pailin and Stung Treng before moving to Banteay Meanchey and Mondulkiri on Monday.

“In January, our team will offer mobile inspection services at each target province for only five days. Owners who fail to have their vehicles inspected during this period can bring them to our centre nearest to their area at a later date,” he said.

Sengley said CMVIC currently has branches in Phnom Penh and nine provinces including Battambang, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Kratie, Ratanakkiri, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu and Preah Sihanouk.

“Our inspection schedule offers convenience and helps people save time and money. We provide quality inspection services in a transparent manner to ensure their vehicles are safe to drive.

“The inspection reduces traffic accidents caused by sub-standard vehicles and also helps owners avoid having to pay fines for not complying with the traffic law,” he said.

According to a National Road Safety Committee report, traffic accidents kill five people and injure 11 on average per day. The report said most accidents were caused by human factors, followed by vehicle and road conditions.

Last year, only some 300,000 of the more than 600,000 registered vehicles went through technical inspection, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said during the launch of the 4th CMVIC inspection centre in Phnom Penh last month.

“Complying with the traffic law and having your vehicle inspected as required is a major contribution to the reduction of traffic accidents,” he said.