Acting PM Unveils Key Highlights of New Road Traffic Law
AKP Phnom Penh, December 08, 2022 --

The new road traffic law will include drug-free health certificate requirement for driving profession, highway safety management, and road traffic safety plans.

Acting Prime Minister Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng, on behalf of the Royal Government and the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC), unveiled the highlights of the law when presiding over the 17th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Phnom Penh on Dec. 7.

A drug-free health certificate is required for those who want to work as drivers, whether in passenger cars or trucks, so those involved in the illicit drug use will lose the opportunity, said Samdech Sar Kheng, also Chairman of NRSC.

The law will entail highway safety management which is an emerging issue, he underlined.

Samdech Sar Kheng recalled that the Commune/Sangkat Safety Policy also gives a priority to road traffic safety, and encouraged the relevant local authorities to pay more attention to the matter.

He emphasised that an effective enforcement of the law will require the engagement of all road users.
- AKP

Harsher Penalties for Drunk Driving
National Road Safety Committee (NRSC), Road Safety Education and Awareness Specialist Pea Kim Vong said the sub-decree focuses on transitional penalties for those who drive while drunk.

“The penalties are divided into four categories based on the drunkenness of the driver and the consequences of their actions. All categories carry serious penalties.

“This is the drafting stage and it will need to be fine-tuned. The only goal is to reduce traffic accidents and improve road safety,” he said.

“Although the traffic law article on penalties for drunk drivers has not been changed, this sub-decree will provide for harsher penalties,” he said.

Soeng Senkaruna, spokesman of human rights group ADHOC, said that he strongly agrees that stiffer penalties be imposed on drunk drivers.

“If the penalties are too lax, they will not discourage people from driving while intoxicated. They must be made to pay heavier fines and face stiffer penalties such as imprisonment,” he said.

“People will then not dare to drive while drunk because they do not want to spend their time in prison or being fined by the authorities,” he said.

According to Article 72 of the Road Traffic Law, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.4 to 0.8 is an offence punishable by imprisonment of between one and six months and a fine of up to four million riels ($1,000).
Excerpt from: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501199244/ ... the-works/