Helmet law linked to upcoming elections

(Maximum of $37.50 traffic fine)

Earlier this year, the Cambodian government promised to get tough on traffic safety. In neighbouring Vietnam, Laos and Thailand traffic laws are being implemented; Laos even has successfully limited number of people on one motorbike, stopping the entire family piling onto a 110cc scooter.

In Cambodia the new laws say if not wear helmet, the fine is between 3,000 reil and 150, 000 reil- up from the 500 to 2,000 reil fines in the old traffic law (that’s fines from 75 cents and maximum of $37). But the law rarely/never enforced, and the reason given recently by a senior traffic police chief is that the lack of implementation is because “it is close to the elections …if we stop motorbikes, there will be reactions from road users,”

And with drink driving, the law is not enforced because, “If we implement it, our people will have difficulty,” he said of common practice of drinking and driving. “Instead, we explain to them. If we restrict them, it will be difficult. Our people don’t admit they are wrong and will insist they are right. It is their custom.” Says a Khmer traffic police chief.

The director general of the Ministry of Transport says there needs to be consistent implementation of the new law and he not understand why implementing the law not started. H says “if they implement it for one year, they will all wear helmets. It is like ants following each other.”