Cambodia to Reintroduce Strict Traffic Law Enforcement Amidst Rising Fatalities and Injuries

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, has formally requested Prime Minister Hun Manet to reinstate strict enforcement of road traffic laws starting September 1, 2026, citing a significant increase in road accidents during the first half of 2026. According to a report submitted by the Ministry of Interior, Cambodia had successfully reduced road accident fatalities by 5% annually for the past three consecutive years (2023-2025), aligning with the UN's Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030) plan. However, during the first half of 2026, a noticeable surge in traffic accidents was observed nationwide, partly attributed to a temporary relaxation in law enforcement. Specifically, the first half of 2026 saw a 20% increase in road accidents compared to the same period in 2025, with 213 more incidents. Fatalities rose by 11% (79 deaths), and injuries increased by 32% (468 more people injured). The primary causes identified were speeding (46%), failure to respect priority rights (22%), not keeping to the right (12%), overtaking (7%), careless turning (6%), drunk driving (4%), ignoring traffic signals (2%), and vehicle factors (1%). High-incident areas included Phnom Penh (461 cases), Preah Sihanouk province (92 cases), Kandal province (75 cases), Kampong Speu province (57 cases), and Svay Rieng province (55 cases). The report suggests that the majority of accidents stem from drivers' disregard for the law or negligence, indicating a situation where "drivers fear the police more than the law itself." To curb and reduce accidents, fatalities, injuries, and property damage, and to contribute to the government's poverty reduction policies, the National Road Safety Committee respectfully proposes the following measures: 1. Reintroduce strict enforcement of road traffic laws from September 1, 2026, after a temporary suspension due to border situations and the global economic crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict. 2. The strict enforcement will be concentrated in high-risk areas: Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk, Kandal, Kampong Speu, and Svay Rieng provinces, focusing on violations that directly cause accidents, such as speeding, drunk driving, failure to respect priority rights and traffic lights, and overloaded transportation. This request marks a significant step towards enhancing road safety and protecting the lives and property of Cambodian citizens.