While progress has been made in road safety in Cambodia, road crashes and casualties remain a critical public health and development issue. In 2008, an estimated 1,638 people were killed (an average of 4.5 per day) and 7,200 severely injured in road traffic crashes in Cambodia. Over the last five years, the number of road crashes has increased by 150% and the number of fatalities has doubled (see graph 1). Cambodia has one of the highest fatality rates per 10,000 vehicles in the ASEAN region.

Graph 1: Evolution of road safety accidents and casualties in Cambodia 1998-2008 (RCVIS 2008)

Over 95% of crashes are caused by human error with speed (51%), particularly along the national roads, and drink-driving (18%) constituting the chief causes. Motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable. RCVIS data shows that 77% of road traffic casualties in Cambodia are motorcycle riders (see Graph 2) and 44% of them suffer from head injuries. Over 94% of all motorcycle casualties were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Graph 2: Percentage of fatalities and casualties by type of transports (RCVIS 2008)

Furthermore, road traffic crashes hinder development by killing and disabling the economically active population. Over 70% of all deaths due to road traffic injuries in the Cambodia occur among adults aged between 15-44 years, the most active part of the population. Among them, 30% are farmers, 19% are workers and 15% are students (RCVIS 2008) (see graph 3). Pedestrians, in particularly children are increasingly vulnerable – 30% of all pedestrian traffic fatalities are children between the ages of 0-14 years old.

Graph 3: Percentage of fatalities and casualties by occupation (RCVIS 2008)

Ultimately, road traffic crashes have an enormous impact on the social and economic welfare of Cambodia with an estimated annual cost of USD 116 million, representing around 3% of the country GDP and about 25% of the Net Official Development Assistance that the country receives annually (ADB 2004).