In an effort to address some of Yangon’s worst traffic gridlocks, nine police groups stepped up enforcement by issuing fines for traffic offences in seventy-nine locations with major traffic problems, according to Second Chief Police Officer Linn Htut.
The police groups will take action against cars that violate traffic laws such as illegal parking and reckless driving, he said.
Drivers caught violating traffic laws will be fined anywhere between K10,000 and K500,000 ($10 to $500) depending on the violation.
Drivers who are issued citations must pay the fine directly to Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC).
Linn Htut, who is also the Head of No.2 traffic police unit,said, “The nine traffic police groups will cooperate with police units from township administrations and YCDC in order to remove illegally parked cars.
“Fines for illegally parked cars will vary and can range from a warning to the suspension of a driver’s licence.”Cars parked in a designated no parking zone will be towed, he added.
From the end of 2013 through May of this year, nearly 1,900 illegally parked cars were towed, according to an official announcement of the traffic police unit.
During the third week of May, Yangon saw 9,091 traffic violations. From end-2013 to April 15, 2014, 8,154 cars have been towed from no parking zones, the Vehicle Control Committee announced.