Road safety in Cambodia

Cheryl · 2025-07-16T06:42:29+02:00

Explore essential road safety tips for expats in Cambodia. Discover traffic rules, local driving habits, and advice for safe travel with children.

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator16 July 2025 04:42:29

13910

Hello everyone,

Navigating roads and experiencing traffic in Cambodia as an expat can be a learning experience. We invite you to share your insights in order to help other expats and soon-to-be expats stay safe on the road in Cambodia, whether driving, cycling or just crossing the street.

Are traffic rules strictly respected or enforced in Cambodia?

Are there any unspoken rules, unexpected habits or regulations that you had to adapt to?

Are the roads safe and well-maintained?

Are there specific times of day, weather conditions, or seasons that make driving more dangerous?

If you have children, do you feel comfortable letting them travel alone on local roads, whether on foot, by bike, or motorbike?

What are your tips or advice to stay safe on the roads in Cambodia?

Share your insights and experience.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
玩偶姐姐 Team

Hannostamm Active member

Member since 02 August 2016

HannostammActive member24 July 2025 05:44:08

I've been driving and riding a motorbike in Cambodia for a total of 10 years. Traffic is absolutely shocking with little adherence to traffic rules and even less enforcement of said traffic rules.

Luckily, traffic in the cities is usually too slow to cause too much carnage, though accidents, including fatal accidents, are common enough.

Personally, I try staying off cross-country roads at night. There are plenty of vehicles without lights and having a truck parked in the middle of the road is commonplace. Add to that the habit of drunk driving and people generally not knowing the difference between high and low beam, and Cambodia's roads at night are not a good place to be.

Defensive driving is the order of the day. Do not assume that just because you have a green light, nobody will come the other way. Likewise. expect the unexpected from people in front of you. Driver on the right crossing two lanes to turn left without as much as indicating? Every day. Vehicles coming towards you on your side of the road? All the time. Being entitled in a huge SUV and going three times the speed limit? Par for the course.

Fact is that most Cambodian drivers have paid for their license, if they have one, and even rudimentary understanding of traffic rules is absent.

Having said that, I have never had an accident. But then, I go with the flow and make sure that I am never rushed.