Cambodia's road deaths rise to 5 per day in 2009

PHNOM PENH, (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Despite a sharp increase in safety helmet use among motorbike drivers this year and a decrease in traffic accidents overall, road deaths in Cambodia now stand at five per day and rising, local media reported on Friday.

Meas Chandy, Road Safety Coordinator for Handicap Intentional Belgium, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that the number of recorded traffic deaths had risen to five deaths per day during the first eight months of this year, up from 4.5 traffic deaths per day in 2008.

Chandy said that he did not know the reasons behind the increase in traffic deaths, but added, "the majority of accidents are caused by human errors including speeding, drunk driving, overtaking without due care and not respecting the right of way."

Chandy said the recorded increase in traffic deaths, which is among the highest in the region, and findings that helmet use dropped at night indicate "we need more enforcement."