July 16, 2026
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s amended Law on Roads introduces stiff penalties for individuals or businesses that occupy roads or roadside areas without permission, as well as those who engage in activities that could disrupt public safety, like blocking roads or leaving material that could cause a loss of traction in a public roadway.
Offenders will face fines ranging from 50,000 riel ($12.50) to 5 million riel ($1,250), depending on the violation. Repeat offenders will incur double the original fine.
The amended law, approved by the National Assembly during a June 22 extraordinary session before being endorsed by the Senate on June 26, was made public today.
The legislation sets out clear rules governing the use of roads and road reserves, while specifying penalties for various offences that affect public infrastructure and road safety.
The term “road reserve” includes traffic lanes, the safety shoulder and footpaths, as well as drainage ditches and embankments.
Under Article 66, anyone carrying out work within a road reserve to create access to homes, buildings, factories, enterprises or other premises adjoining a public road without prior approval from the competent road management authority will be fined 50,000 riel.
Article 67 imposes a 50,000-riel fine on anyone who “makes roads slippery or sticky, leaves construction materials scattered on roads, places objects or equipment on roadways, installs signs or other objects that obstruct motorists’ visibility, or creates obstacles for pedestrians”.
Under Article 68, anyone who relocates, dismantles, writes on or damages traffic signs, traffic signals, safety barriers, kilometre markers or directional signs will be fined 100,000 riel ($25).
Separately, Article 69 (new) stipulates that anyone conducting business in a road reserve, including road maintenance or testing areas, without the required licence, will be subject to a fine of 5 million riel ($1,250).
Repeat offenders who commit any of the above violations twice within 12 months will face fines of twice the previous amount.