Uptick in road accidents recorded

Uptick in road accidents recorded

Written by May Titthara Friday, 03 July 2009 14:02

Monthly increase comes after Ministry of Interior announces delay in traffic law enforcement

Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN

Vehicles wrecked in road accidents lay broken in a field behind Municipal Police headquarters in Phnom Penh on Thursday.

TRAFFIC officials are blaming an increase in drunken driving for a jump in the number of traffic accidents in Phnom Penh last month.

According to Pen Khun, deputy chief of Phnom Penh's Traffic Police, there were 52 traffic accidents in June compared with 43 in May. These accidents resulted in 11 deaths and 59 serious injuries.

"Most of the traffic accidents are caused because people got drunk and sped," he said.

The news of an increase in accidents comes as police say they have once again pushed back the date they will begin ramping up traffic enforcement efforts.

According to a new directive signed by Interior Minister Sar Kheng, Traffic Police will start enforcing the 2007 traffic law on August 1, including the provision that prohibits drunken driving.