Khmer Transportation Innovatives-Where Safety Does Not Come First

April 3, 2014
Chea Sophal

In 2012, World Health Organization indicated that there were 4,250 traffic accidents and 15,615 victims.  1,966 out of those victims were killed and 5,349 were seriously wounded.  On the daily rate, the average of 5 Cambodian citizens were killed and around 15 were wounded per day by road accidents.   The International Handicap estimated that Cambodia lost $329 million accounting for 2.3 % of GDP because of traffic accidents in 2012.   

The traffic accident in Cambodia continues to be the high cost for the loss of Country economy and its GDP.  

Rubbish collectors piled up the recycle stuff for their sales later.  There were no available seats for them so they ended up sitting on like this.

   

On major holiday season, Cambodian people piled and placed themselves where they could go without taking into consideration of their travel safety.  They may thought of that but presumed there would be no accidents on the way.

This is a major and typical truck carrying garment and footwear workers back and forth from their home to the factories where they work.  Normally, they paid up to $10 to $15 per month depending whether they stay at the end of the village or at the beginning.

Cyclist carrying rattan handicraft for sales.

Vehicle without identity, mainly used to transport smuggling wood.

During 2013 posting national election, where thousands of pro-CNRP supports organized demonstrations to protest against the electoral fraud and the results of election.  Some of them ended up sitting on the roof of car and/or tuk-tuk.  

Horse cart.  If you travel during lunch you would witness quite several of them transporting wood.  This is because there is less chance of being caught/asked to stop by the forestry officials/polices.

Traditionally, Khmer people used ox-carts to transport all of these potteries for sales from one province to another.  Currently, the trends have slightly changed, they used trucks and load like these.  Observe their speed, you could not see any signals if they want to turn left or right.