A Chinese driver was fined after cargo fell from a pickup truck he was driving on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway on Wednesday, December 3.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport spokesman Phan Rim noted that the Toyota Vigo entered the expressway at the Stung Hav entrance (PK172) and exited at the Sre Ambel exit (PK135) with cargo loaded in the back.
Due to the driver’s speed and lack of caution, some of the cargo fell from the vehicle, almost causing the vehicles behind to crash.
Phan Rim posted videos and photos of the incident on his Facebook page, stating that the vehicle owner had been summoned to settle the issue with the Phnom Penh–Preah Sihanouk Expressway company.
“On December 3, at 6.46pm, an expressway company working group, in cooperation with the expressway police, detained a vehicle that dropped cargo on the expressway, made the driver sign an educational contract and issued a fine, in accordance with the Road Traffic Law,” he said.
To ensure the safety of customers traveling along the expressway, the company reminded all users to thoroughly check the condition of their vehicles and ensure cargo is loaded properly, following Article 56 of the Road Traffic Law.
This article states that when long objects are being carried, they must not extend beyond the front edge of the vehicle, and must not extend more than 3 metres beyond the rear or drag on the ground. Additionally, the width must not exceed the width of the vehicle, and the height must not exceed the vehicle’s roof. Small items must be covered and tied securely.
The company noted that it retains the right to refuse access to the expressway to vehicles with unsafe loads.
It appealed to all road users to comply with expressway rules, respect the Road Traffic Law and traffic signs, avoid speeding, avoid driving against traffic flow and ensure vehicles are thoroughly checked before traveling.
