Roughly 90 percent of imported motor vehicles in Myanmar use right-hand drive, with steering wheels on the right side, according to official figures. That would be unexceptional, if not for the fact that, roughly 90pc of the time, the roads themselves run in the opposite manner, meaning cars are on the right side of the road but the steering wheels, and hence drivers, are also on the right, with a better view of the kerb than the traffic. (The other 10pc of the time, of course, occurs when someone blindly pulls out into oncoming traffic – the only way to catch a glimpse of what’s oncoming.)





As a former British colony, Myanmar used to drive on the left side of the road using RHD vehicles, consistent with British practice. (Only about 35pc of the world currently drives on the left, and British influence is usually the explanation.)

But following a surprise edict from General Ne Win in 1970, the direction of traffic changed overnight from left to right. The steering wheels of cars didn’t, though, so people had to just put up with relying on honks and passenger guidance when merging into a lane.

With a civilian government back in power and a flood of imported cars now coming in, the country has three options: change the flow of traffic, change the kinds of cars allowed as soon as possible, or just keep on as before.

There doesn’t seem to be any discussion of the first option, but the second has floated around as a rumour from time to time, with some believing imports might be limited to only LHD vehicles starting in 2015. (New cars are already limited to LHD only, but make up a very small minority of cars sold.) Authorities have yet to make public any such announcement of limiting used cars to LHD as well.

“The numbers of imported cars with LHD are hardly seen,” said U Kyaw Aye Lwin, head of Yangon Region’s Road Transport Administration Department.

“In seminars and meetings relating to motor vehicles, authorities say to allow only LHD in importing vehicles, but the RTAD cannot speak about this new policy exactly because people prefer RHD,” he said.

He said limiting imports “won’t be easy”, though adds some sort of policy will surely be needed to untangle Myanmar’s traffic conundrum.





Japan is the top car exporter in Asia, with a 45pc share of the top five nations. New Japanese imports are available in both RHD and LHD drive, as the factories produce both orientations. But used vehicles – more common for imports – are in RHD format, as that is how Japan drives.

“But Myanmar has adopted a right-hand traffic system, so vehicles with right-hand drive are not convenient for people in Myanmar,” said U San Myint Oo, managing director of the RTAD.

He said the RTAD only enforces existing laws, though added the roads would be safer if import companies were limited to cars of a suitable orientation. But he said that some changes may need to be made to signage, bus doors and so on, to help them match the rules of the road.

If the import law was to be changed, the new vehicle law, now in draft stage, would need to be debated, approved, and only then modified, with all ministries approving.

“If the law is enacted, I hope regulations related to vehicles will be included to keep motorists safe,” said U Soe Htun, chair of the Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers and Distributors Association.

Police Captain Win Lwin of No 2 Traffic Police Office was hesitant to blame accidents on LHD versus RHD, citing unsafe driving practices as a more probable culprit.

“If motorists can control their speed and follow traffic rules, there will be no accidents and motorists and pedestrians will be safe. It also mainly depends on the motorists’ driving skill.”

Taxi driver U Maung Maung disagreed, saying cars being forced to pull out blindly to pass was a major cause of accidents – and something that could be made much safer with LHD vehicles.

“We have heard that the government will allow importing only left-hand drive vehicles in the future. It will be good when such a policy is practiced,” he said.

Until then, it seems the third option, doing nothing, has the lead.

Translation by Thiri Min Htun and Emoon