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426 Community participation in law enforcement in road safety – Yangon, Myanmar
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  1. Zaw Myo Han,
  2. Myo Aung Myint,
  3. Aung Ko Oo,
  4. Kyaw Htwe
  1. No.2 Traffic Police Division, Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract

Background Myanmar is expressing escalating level of fatalities as motorization increases. Agencies acknowledged the existing weakness in proper data system, weakness in legislation, insufficient funding, a need for measurable road safety targets and lack of effective and scalable implementation to address risk behaviour.

Police commanders and road safety professionals have a responsibility to think strategically about traffic policing and enforcement. Police must actively work with partners and the community, working together for common aims. Myanmar Traffic Police, Yangon division introduced OCC (Online Complaint Centre) where the police and community share a partnership in the broadest sense for responsibility and accountability for road safety.

Methods From the mobile phones social application ‘Viber’ is used to upload photo and reports of those who broke the traffic rules or commenced risky behaviour to Yangon Traffic Police on hotline number.

The traffic police interact transparently and appropriately with alleged citizens, advertise the vehicle numbers in daily newspapers and weekly journals and penalise according to the existing laws together with Road Transport Administrative Department, City Development Committee and multi bus line control committee.

Results Everyday 150–200 complaints are received and confirmed. Most of the cases are breaking the traffic rules, small cars followed by taxis and buses are the most common vehicles that violate the law. Besides the community share their comments and suggestions. Traffic Police respond immediately to these complaints amid only 28% can be penalised.

Conclusion Police must have a win/win objectives and mutual benefits from both parties to achieve positive outcomes. This may arise from a genuine interest in road safety, or seeking recognition as a good corporate citizen, social responsibility or for publicity for their own cause.

Even the road rules do not cover all situations, thus rely on community to make good decisions how they use the road safety in general.

  • Online Complaint Centre
  • community
  • traffic police
  • road safety

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