SINCE Nay Pyi Taw became the new capital of Myanmar nearly three years ago, the nearby town of Pyinmana has enjoyed unprecedented development. Now a new novelty has found its way into town: traffic lights.

The town’s first automatic traffic signal was installed late last month at the Sinyadana crossroads, while a second signal was put up at the beginning of this month at the Myinyadana crossroads along the Pyinmana-Taungnyo highway leading to Nay Pyi Taw.

“We have installed these lights to reduce road accidents and to encourage people to habitually follow traffic rules,” said U Myo Nyunt Oo, an official from the Nay Pyi Taw Traffic Police Force.

“Officers from the force will be assigned to stand near the new traffic lights from morning to late evening to educate passers-by and drivers about following the signals,” he said.

He said the educational project would last for about one month and would be carried out under the guidance of the Nay Pyi Taw Traffic Rules Reinforcement and Supervising Committee.

“We also plan to hand out pamphlets to the public with information about traffic lights and traffic rules,” U Myo Nyunt Oo said.

Some local residents said they were baffled by the traffic lights at first.
“I didn’t understand the signals at first. I was standing in line with other people at the intersection waiting for the light to change colour,” one resident said. “It can also be a problem if the power goes out and signals stop working.”

But another local, U Thein Htike Aung, said the lights were a nice addition to the town.

“I’ve lived in Pyinmana my whole life and it’s the first time I’ve seen traffic lights in town. It’s a good sign of development and it will help control traffic at busy crossroads.”