Car rental in Burma (Myanmar) - Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

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Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Burma is provided for general reference only, and may not be accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Unavailable
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Unavailable

Rangoon’s main roads are generally in fair condition. Traffic in the capital is increasing rapidly, but serious congestion is still uncommon. Some roads are in serious disrepair. Slow-moving vehicles, bicycles, animals, and heavy pedestrian traffic create numerous hazards for drivers on Rangoon’s streets. Drivers must remain extremely alert to avoid hitting pedestrians, who do not fully appreciate the risks they take in walking and darting into traffic.

Most roads outside of Rangoon are one lane and a half, potholed, often unpaved, and unlit at night. Truck drivers traversing from China to Rangoon are known to drive under the influence of methamphetamine-spiked betel nuts. Drunken and/or drugged drivers are common on the roads during the four-day water festival in early spring.

Driving at night is dangerous. Few, if any, streets are adequately lit. Most Burmese drivers do not turn on their headlights until the sky is completely dark; many do not use headlights at all. Many people ride bicycles that have no lights or reflectors.

Vehicles are required to drive on the right side, as in the United States. However, over 80 percent of the vehicles have the steering wheel on the right. The speed limit in the area of schools is posted at 48 kph, or about 30 mph. No other speed limits are posted in Burma. The “right of way” concept is generally respected, but military convoys and motorcades always have precedence. Right turns on a red light are permitted.

Most vehicle accidents are settled between the parties with the party at fault paying the damages. Accidents that require an investigation are concluded quickly and rarely result in criminal prosecution. There is no roadside assistance, and ambulances are not available. Vehicles generally don’t have seat belts. Child car seats are also not available.