THE Yangon Traffic Police Force has increased its enforcement of regulations banning unlicensed motorcycles from the city by not only confiscating the motorbikes but also jailing the riders and owners.

“Only government motorcycles are allowed in Yangon but we have noticed that some people are riding unlicensed motorcycles in the city,” said Traffic Police Lieutenant Colonel Aung Naing, the commander of Yangon Division Wireless and Traffic Police Force.

“We have also seen people with licensed motorcycles from outside the city riding in Yangon. Their motorcycles will be seized and they will be arrested just like unlicensed riders,” he said.

He said the riders and owners would be charged under export/import law 5(1)/5(3), which “does not allow the accused to be released on bail".

Lt Col Aung Naing said government motorcycle riders who did not follow traffic regulations would also be punished according to the law.

Yangon police seized 494 unlicensed motorcycles this year up to November 16.