Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 21 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet issued an order to enforce the law regarding the offense of negligent driving leading to a traffic accident resulting in a fatality with immediate on-site arrests without the need for prior consultation on legal principles.
The premier spoke on Thursday (Dec. 21) at the Ministry of Environment's annual meeting.
Samdech Thipdei underscored that, "If there is an actual crime, for example, a car accident resulting in a fatality, there is no need for the issuance of an arrest warrant; the police should immediately apprehend the individual. In situations where a person protests, immediate detention should occur without requiring authorization from a commissioner.”
Prime Minister Hun Manet also gave an example of another incident where a car hit a police officer, turned around, and ignored the incident.
According to Article 81 of the Road Traffic Law 2021, Those who are driving by unintentionally provoking the permanent injuries to the others shall be imprisoned from one year to three years and/or fined from 2,000,000 Riels to 6,000,000 Riels.
The drivers shall be punished in maximum level when they committed offenses in the following cases:
a) Driving without driving license or with driving license but is not properly used as defined
b) Driving when they are drunk with the alcoholic rate from 0.40 mg per liter of air, or from 0.80 g per liter of blood
c) Provoking injuries to many people
d) Escaping from accident place for the purpose of irresponsibility
On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei declared his support as a backbone for the authorities who enforce the law properly against perpetrators of traffic accidents.
Samdech Thipadei underlined that, "Arrest him! In any administration, I instruct all law enforcement officers, especially the police, that in the case of an actual crime, abide by the law and take immediate action, and know that the prime minister has your back."
Samdech Thipdei also assured those enforcing the law against actual crimes that, even if someone attempts to remove them from their position, the premier would support them and penalize anyone who punishes the correct application of the law.
Premier Hun Manet added that, "if there is evidence of intoxication leading to an accident, arrest them; what more justification do you need to enforce the law? The evidence and witnesses are present.”
However, Samdech Thipadei also asked the authorities to implement the law properly without exceeding it. If actions go beyond legal boundaries, Samdech Thipadei does not support them, and those responsible must be held accountable before the law.
=FRESH NEWS
