AKP Phnom Penh, August 14, 2025 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha, who chairs the National Road Safety Committee, has urged capital and provincial authorities to redouble efforts in reducing road accidents and fatalities by 5 percent annually, in line with national targets.  

Speaking at the mid-year review of the 2025 Road Safety Action Plan on Aug. 13, H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha emphasised the need for decisive leadership, targeted interventions, and strict enforcement against high-risk behaviors and traffic violations.  

He called for institutional reforms to strengthen accountability and proactive measures in implementing the National Road Safety Decade Plan (2021–2030). The minister stressed the importance of coordinated action, robust monitoring, and evaluation to ensure progress.  

H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha directed officials to fully enforce the 2025 action plan, including strict legal action against traffic offenders—particularly hit-and-run drivers—to deter violations.  

Additionally, he instructed all 25 municipal and provincial road safety sub-committees to establish at least one road safety park near schools or public areas by 2026, following the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s technical guidelines. Public awareness campaigns should prioritise high-risk groups, such as motorcyclists (who account for 77 percent of fatalities), three-wheeler drivers, delivery riders, students, and transport workers.  

The minister also emphasised leading by example, urging government officials and civil servants to strictly comply with traffic laws and promote road safety awareness in their communities.  

Expressing confidence in Cambodia’s progress, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that with collective commitment, the country can achieve its 2025 mid-year targets, enhancing road safety under the three pillars: safe road users, safe roads, and safe vehicles. 

During the meeting, H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport and Permanent Vice Chair of the National Road Safety Committee, highlighted that the mid-year review aligns with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, which aims to halve traffic fatalities and injuries by 2030.  

He noted that a draft Road Traffic Law has been finalised by a technical working group and is undergoing review before submission to the Council of Ministers for approval. 

The committee reported 1,066 road accidents in the first half of 2025, a 31 percent decrease from the same period in 2024. These incidents resulted in: 694 deaths (down 12 percent from 793); 1,476 injuries, including 849 serious cases (down 30 percent from 2,116); Leading causes of accidents: Speeding (50 percent); Failure to yield (21 percent); Improper lane use (11 percent); Dangerous overtaking (7 percent); Drunk driving (5 percent); Motorcyclists accounted for 537 fatalities (77 percent of total), with 62 percent not wearing helmets.

Phnom Penh recorded the highest accident rate (360 cases), followed by Preah Sihanouk (82) and Kandal (66).

Compared to the second half of 2024, accidents dropped by 19 percent, deaths by 3 percent, and injuries by 8 percent, signaling progress in road safety enforcement.

By K. Rithy Reak