The Ministry of Public Works yesterday launched the Driving Training Centre for Heavy Vehicles in the capital’s Prek Pnov district in order to promote safe driving and reduce traffic accidents. Minister of Public Works Sun Chanthol said that the inauguration of the centre is another new achievement of the ministry to provide public services to people quickly, efficiently and transparently. He also requested the transport companies not to use modified vehicles which are not certified as roadworthy and which could cause accidents. The companies were also urged not to overload their heavy vehicles which could damage roads. “I call on all citizens to respect the traffic law to help reduce traffic accidents that cause loss of public and private property,” Chanthol said. He said that the new centre will offer a 50 percent discount for the first 50 people to register. The regular tuition fee is $350 and a state public service fee for 30 hours of theory and 20 hours of steering instruction in accordance with national and international standards. According to the Ministry of Public Works, Cambodia is in short supply of drivers of heavy trucks. The centre has large campus for training and driving tests. The ministry said training will help reduce the rate of road accidents caused by unskilled heavy truck drivers. According to a report, up to 90 percent of traffic accidents are caused by human error. It said these include accidents caused by the drivers of some heavy vehicles who lack proper driving skills or who don’t have licences valid for the type of vehicles they are using. The report also shows that in 2019, the death toll from road accidents caused by heavy truck drivers was 181, an increase of 34 from the previous year. Chhuon Vorn, director-general of Land Transport in the Ministry of Public Works, said yesterday that last year 325,000 heavy vehicles had been registered and 218,000 driving licences were issued. “About 33 percent of heavy truck drivers on the road do not have a driver’s licence or are using ones which are not for the category of vehicle they are driving,” he said.