Description

In 2007, 4 people were killed and more than 75 injured daily on the roads of Cambodia. Over the last 5 years, the number of accidents has increased by 151% and the number of fatalities has almost doubled. With fatalities at 17.8 per 10,000 registered vehicles, Cambodia has one of the highest mortality rates in the ASEAN region.

To counteract the growing trends in accidents and casualties, the Royal Government of Cambodian (RGC) has highlighted road safety as a key national issue to resolve. In 2004, a multi-sectoral National Road Safety Action Plan was approved by the government covering 15 key road safety components including education, enforcement, engineering, emergency services, vehicle safety and management mechanisms.

In 2005, the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) was officially created by the Royal Government of Cambodia Subdecree 77. The NRSC is an inter-ministerial body and is chaired by the Minister of Public Works and Transport. The committee has high level representation from all government ministries most notably Public Works and Transport, Interior, Education, Youth and Sports, and Health.

The NRSC is tasked with overall coordination, monitoring and support for the implementation of the road safety action plan activities throughout Cambodia with the aim of reducing accidents, deaths and injuries. It is also responsible for overseeing the effective implementation of the road traffic law nationally, ensuring the public are educated on road safety, and for developing road safety-related regulations and directives such as a national policy and a helmet wearing action plan.

To assist the NRSC in its tasks, a general secretariat has been established, chaired by the Director General of Transport of the MPWT. The Secretariat currently has 6 staff. In addition, Provincial Road Safety Committees have been created in all 24 provinces to carry out road safety activities at provincial level.

The National Road Safety Committee and its secretariat work closely with a variety of international organizations, local and international non-governmental organizations and private companies to conduct road safety activities. Most notably, the NRSC coordinates and implements public education campaigns on national holidays and road safety week, as well as conducting driver training and traffic law education.

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