Traffic police in Kalemyo, Sagaing division in Burma are stopping those driving motorcycles without license and taking a fine.

Motorcyclists without a license are fined up to Kyat 5000 and traffic policemen are keeping an eye out for motorcyclists in every corner of Kalemyo. Some motorcycles were confiscated early this year.

“Every motorcycle rider is being checked for driving licenses. Those without helmets are also being stopped and fined. People in Kalemyo have begun to hate the traffic police,” said a local from Kalemyo.

Local fire brigade personnel were also hired for Kyats 3000 a day to help the traffic police on duty on the road to stop motorcyclists driving without license.

Eight traffic policemen and fire brigade personnel are manning different corners of some roads in Kalemyo and stopping motorcyclists.

Motorcyclists therefore do not dare to drive on the highway of the town and are using alleys to avoid arrest, said a local.

Local authorities have restricted the date for making licenses, so people cannot afford to make a license within the short time and license fees are high.

“If we cannot make the license within the stipulated time, we will have to pay Kyats 3 lakh to 4 lakhs per license,” said a motorcyclist in Kalemyo.

Some motorcyclists meet with accidents frequently because of driving at high speeds to avoiding traffic policemen.

Most Kalemyo people use motorcycles made in China while some are using India made bikes. A China made motorcycle costs Kyats 3 lakh to 5 lakhs, and is easily available.

Similarly, the authorities of Hakha, the capital of Chin state has warned motorcyclists to avoid accidents and are fining bikers Kyat 3000 without helmets, Kyat 5000 for not having a driving license and Kyat 20,000 for not having documents since last year.

But, some motorcyclists are bribing traffic policemen and local authorities to avoid cases.

“Some have an understanding with the authorities. Bikers will be checked, arrested and fined, if we do not bribe them,” said a local from Hakha.