Six provinces rewarded for KNY zero traffic accidents

Prizes and awards were handed out by Prime Minister Hun Manet on Saturday to six provinces which recorded zero traffic accidents during the Khmer New Year (KNY).

Speaking at the Plenary Meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Peace Palace on Saturday, Mr Hun Manet lauded the organisation of the Khmer New Year celebrations this year, with more than 13 million people participating in the event nationwide.

The Premier announced the awards for traffic accident free places on the occasion of KNY with the provinces of Prey Veng, Koh Kong, Kampong Chhnang, Pailin, Tboung Khmum, and Banteay Meanchey recording zero incidents.

Mr Hun Manet awarded $50,000, 100 cases of drinks, and a letter of commendation to the six provinces recording zero traffic accidents during the four days of KNY.

He said that these awards aim to reduce traffic accidents in other provinces and the capital and promote respect for the traffic laws.

Mao Dung, Director of the Tboung Khmum Provincial Administration, said yesterday that he was very happy that his province experienced no traffic accidents during KNY.

He considered this success the result of hard work by relevant authorities, especially the National Police of Kampong Chhnang province, which has educated people and travellers about the risks of traffic accidents during KNY.

Dung believes that organising fun events at pagodas and homes so people didn’t have to travel far in Tboung Khmum province played a big part in there being no traffic accidents.

“In Tboung Khmum province this year, there have been no traffic accidents. Due to this, the administrative director of Tboung Khmum Provincial Hall organised a big Sankranta in two places, such as Tboung Khmum Provincial Hall Sankranta and in O’Raing Ov district at Tonle Snguot Sankranta, which was organised by the Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth, which reduced the amount of travelling people have to do,” he said.

He said that this year’s successful experience is based on the experience gained from managing traffic in previous events such as the Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben.

Kim Pagna, Director of the Asian Injury Foundation (AIF), said yesterday that he was very supportive of the government’s initiatives to provide awards and money to provinces that managed zero traffic accidents during KNY.

He also expressed his appreciation to the six provinces that were able to prevent traffic accidents, and he considered this successful because all relevant stakeholders came together to educate and raise awareness among people about the potential dangers of travelling on roads during festivals.

Pagna also urged the government to increase the awards and money by raising funds through the private sector to support the government in extending the capital and provincial zero traffic accidents intiative next year.

“I want the government and other relevant ministries to promote this programme nationwide to achieve zero traffic accidents during big festivals such as the Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben,” he said.

According to the National Police report, during the four days from April 13 to 16 of KNY, 37 people were killed and 88 injured in 64 traffic accidents nationwide.

It said that last year, from April 14 to 16 there were 45 traffic accidents nationwide, resulting in 25 deaths and 92 injuries.