We are so impressed with the Phnom Penh traffic control system. Here are three of their finest enforcers. Since we've had personal experience with them (3 times), we feel relatively competent to discuss the system. Here's how it works. First, Phnom Penh cops generally buy their way into the job--somewhere between $2000 and $3000 which is a lot of money in Cambodia. Second, they work a specific block all the time. They stand at the corner and motion over any rulebreakers. Some people speed away from them, but some pull over. The cop then explains your infraction, checks your license, and asks for money. Although they have a keen eye for those with money--mainly foreigners--there is a range of expectation depending on the severity of the infraction. Phnom Penh has a lot of one-way streets that only run for a block or so. Finding yourself heading the wrong way will generally cost $5. Running a red light is $10 unless you have a Khmer passenger who is willing to fight for you. In that case, you can negotiate down to $2.50. We've known nascent (foreign) drivers who have mistakenly paid up to $50 for a fine. It should be known that the cops make their livings off of this money, though they pay a percentage to the area captain--an officer who "owns" the area and sells the jobs. Of course, the area owner reports to (pays?) the next guy up the chain. To the average Joe, this sounds like corruption, but it can be thought of a little more positively. The system is wonderfully efficient. It keeps people in line by providing great coverage (most busy city blocks), and judge, jury, and prosecuting attorney all wrapped up into one. No worries about going to court, no worries about making an appeal, no points taken from your license--just a simple negotiation and it's done. In fact, we have some Khmer drivers (of luxury vehicles) who have perfected the drive-through payment method. They drive down the one-way street and stick a $5 bill out the window as they go by the cops. Think, too, that there are no worries about putting the officers on the public payroll or even downsizing the police force during a recession. They are paid by us traffic scofflaws. What could be better?
Saturday, October 2, 2010
We are so impressed with the Phnom Penh traffic control system. Here are three of their finest enforcers. Since we've had personal experience with them (3 times), we feel relatively competent to discuss the system. Here's how it works. First, Phnom Penh cops generally buy their way into the job--somewhere between $2000 and $3000 which is a lot of money in Cambodia. Second, they work a specific block all the time. They stand at the corner and motion over any rulebreakers. Some people speed away from them, but some pull over. The cop then explains your infraction, checks your license, and asks for money. Although they have a keen eye for those with money--mainly foreigners--there is a range of expectation depending on the severity of the infraction. Phnom Penh has a lot of one-way streets that only run for a block or so. Finding yourself heading the wrong way will generally cost $5. Running a red light is $10 unless you have a Khmer passenger who is willing to fight for you. In that case, you can negotiate down to $2.50. We've known nascent (foreign) drivers who have mistakenly paid up to $50 for a fine. It should be known that the cops make their livings off of this money, though they pay a percentage to the area captain--an officer who "owns" the area and sells the jobs. Of course, the area owner reports to (pays?) the next guy up the chain. To the average Joe, this sounds like corruption, but it can be thought of a little more positively. The system is wonderfully efficient. It keeps people in line by providing great coverage (most busy city blocks), and judge, jury, and prosecuting attorney all wrapped up into one. No worries about going to court, no worries about making an appeal, no points taken from your license--just a simple negotiation and it's done. In fact, we have some Khmer drivers (of luxury vehicles) who have perfected the drive-through payment method. They drive down the one-way street and stick a $5 bill out the window as they go by the cops. Think, too, that there are no worries about putting the officers on the public payroll or even downsizing the police force during a recession. They are paid by us traffic scofflaws. What could be better?
