Myanmar DA Part II Module II key terms
Myanmar DA Part II Module II · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
- Mandatory road sign
- Related: Prohibitory road sign, Road marking
A circular sign, usually blue, that orders a specific action such as turning left, keeping to a lane, or passing on one side. Ignoring it is a traffic offence.
- Prohibitory road sign
- Related: Mandatory road sign, Speed limit sign, No-overtaking zone
A circular sign with a red border that forbids an action, such as entering, overtaking, parking, or exceeding a stated speed. The restriction applies from the sign onward until cancelled.
- Warning road sign
- Related: Hazard perception, Stopping distance
A triangular sign with a red border and white background that alerts drivers to a hazard ahead, such as a bend, junction, school, or slippery surface, so they can slow down in time.
- Speed limit sign
- Related: Safe speed, Prohibitory road sign
A circular red-bordered sign showing the maximum permitted speed in kilometres per hour on that road. The limit is an upper bound for good conditions, not a target speed.
- Stop sign
- Related: Give way sign, Right of way
An octagonal red sign marked STOP. A driver must come to a complete halt at the stop line or junction edge, check that the way is clear, and give way before moving off.
- Give way sign
- Related: Stop sign, Right of way
An inverted triangular sign meaning the driver must slow down, prepare to stop, and let traffic on the priority road pass before entering or crossing it.
- Traffic light phases
- Related: Traffic controller signals, Stop line
The sequence of red, amber and green signals. Red means stop, green means proceed only if the way is clear, and amber means stop unless it is unsafe to do so.
- Traffic controller signals
- Related: Traffic light phases, Right of way
Hand and arm signals, or a whistle, given by a police officer or authorised person directing traffic. These instructions override signs, markings and light signals and must be obeyed immediately.
- Continuous centre line
- Related: Broken centre line, No-overtaking zone
A solid line along the middle of the road that must not be crossed or straddled. It marks a stretch where overtaking or turning across oncoming traffic is considered too dangerous.
- Broken centre line
- Related: Continuous centre line, Overtaking
A dashed line dividing opposing traffic streams. It may be crossed to overtake or turn when visibility is clear and it is safe, but the manoeuvre must be completed before the line becomes solid.
- Stop line
- Related: Traffic light phases, Pedestrian crossing
A solid white line painted across a lane at a junction, signal or pedestrian crossing. Vehicles must halt before it when required, keeping the crossing and junction clear.
- Pedestrian crossing
- Related: Stop line, Vulnerable road user
A marked section of road, often with stripes or a signal, where people have priority to cross. Drivers must slow down, be ready to stop, and never overtake a vehicle stopped at one.
- Right of way
- Related: Give way sign, Defensive driving
The priority a road user has to proceed in a given situation, set by signs, signals, markings or general rules. Having right of way does not remove the duty to avoid a collision.
- Junction priority rule
- Related: Right of way, Roundabout procedure
At an unmarked junction, a driver must give way to traffic already on the main road or approaching from the right, depending on local rules, and must not enter until the way is clear.
- Roundabout procedure
- Related: Right of way, Lane discipline
Approach at a reduced speed, give way to traffic already circulating, enter when there is a safe gap, keep to the correct lane, signal on exit, and check mirrors before leaving.
- Overtaking
- Related: No-overtaking zone, Safe following distance
Passing another vehicle travelling in the same direction. It must be done only where permitted, with clear visibility and enough road ahead, and never at a crossing, bend, or hill crest.
- No-overtaking zone
- Related: Overtaking, Continuous centre line
A stretch marked by a solid centre line or a prohibitory sign where passing other vehicles is forbidden because sight distance or road width makes the manoeuvre unsafe.
- Safe following distance
- Related: Stopping distance, Defensive driving
The gap kept behind the vehicle ahead so there is time to stop if it brakes suddenly. A common guide is at least two seconds in good conditions, doubled in rain or at night.
- Stopping distance
- Related: Safe following distance, Hazard perception
The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a hazard is seen until it comes to rest. It combines thinking distance, covering reaction time, and braking distance.
- Hazard perception
- Related: Defensive driving, Stopping distance
The skill of scanning ahead and around for developing dangers, such as pedestrians stepping out or vehicles emerging, and adjusting speed and position early enough to respond safely.
- Defensive driving
- Related: Hazard perception, Blind spot
A driving style that assumes other road users may make mistakes. It involves anticipating hazards, keeping space around the vehicle, and choosing speed so there is always an escape route.
- Blind spot
- Related: Mirror-signal-manoeuvre, Lane discipline
The area around a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors. Drivers must turn their head or use a shoulder check before changing lane, and must never linger beside another vehicle's blind spot.
- Mirror-signal-manoeuvre
- Related: Blind spot, Lane discipline
A routine for any change of direction or speed: check mirrors, signal intention in good time, then act after confirming it is safe and other road users have seen the signal.
- Lane discipline
- Related: Mirror-signal-manoeuvre, Blind spot
Keeping to the correct lane for the intended direction, maintaining position without drifting, and changing lane only when marked and safe, without cutting across other traffic.
- Aquaplaning
- Related: Tyre tread depth, Skidding
Loss of tyre contact with the road when water builds up under the tread at speed. Steering and braking become ineffective, so the driver should ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden inputs.
- Skidding
- Related: Aquaplaning, Anti-lock braking system
Loss of grip causing the vehicle to slide. It is caused by braking, accelerating or steering too sharply for the surface, and is corrected by releasing the cause and steering smoothly.
- Anti-lock braking system
- Related: Skidding, Brake fade
A system that rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure to stop wheels locking during hard braking, allowing the driver to keep steering. A pulsing pedal is normal and pressure should be maintained.
- Tyre tread depth
- Related: Aquaplaning, Tyre pressure
The depth of the grooves cut into a tyre. Adequate tread clears water from the contact patch; worn tyres lengthen braking distance and raise the risk of aquaplaning.
- Tyre pressure
- Related: Tyre tread depth, Pre-trip vehicle check
The air pressure inside a tyre, checked when tyres are cold against the manufacturer's figures. Wrong pressure harms grip, steering, fuel use and tyre life, and can cause a blowout.
- Brake fade
- Related: Engine braking, Anti-lock braking system
A temporary loss of braking power when brakes overheat, typically after repeated hard use on long descents. The driver should use a lower gear and let the brakes cool.
- Engine braking
- Related: Brake fade, Gear selection
Slowing the vehicle by releasing the accelerator and selecting a lower gear, so the engine resists the wheels. It reduces reliance on the footbrake on long or steep downhill sections.
- Gear selection
- Related: Engine braking, Clutch control
Choosing the gear that matches road speed and conditions. A lower gear gives more control and power on hills or descents; a higher gear suits steady cruising and saves fuel.
- Pre-trip vehicle check
- Related: Tyre pressure, Seat belt and restraints
A quick inspection before driving covering tyres, lights, brakes, fluids, mirrors, wipers and load security, so defects are found before they cause a breakdown or crash.
- Seat belt and restraints
- Related: Pre-trip vehicle check, Vulnerable road user
Belts and child restraints that hold occupants in place during sudden braking or impact. Drivers are responsible for ensuring all occupants are correctly restrained before moving off.
- Drink-driving limit
- Related: Driver fatigue, Demerit points
The maximum permitted blood alcohol concentration for a driver, set by law. Even below the limit, alcohol slows reaction time and judgement, so the only safe amount before driving is none.
- Demerit points
- Related: Driving licence suspension, Drink-driving limit
Penalty points added to a driving record for specified offences. Accumulating the threshold within a set period leads to suspension, and serious offences may bring disqualification or a court appearance.
- Driving licence suspension
- Related: Demerit points, Vehicle insurance
A temporary withdrawal of the right to drive, imposed for offences such as excess demerit points, drink-driving or dangerous driving. Driving while suspended is itself a serious offence.
- Vehicle insurance
- Related: Driving licence suspension, Collision reporting
A contract covering specified losses from vehicle use. Third-party cover pays for injury or damage the driver causes to others; comprehensive cover also pays for damage to the insured vehicle.
- Collision reporting
- Related: Scene safety, Vehicle insurance
The legal duty to stop after a crash, exchange details, give assistance, and report injury crashes to the police within the required time, even if no one appears badly hurt.
- Scene safety
- Related: Collision reporting, Primary survey
Steps taken at a crash site to prevent further harm: switching off engines, warning traffic, moving casualties only if in danger, and calling emergency services with a clear location.
- Primary survey
- Related: Scene safety, Severe bleeding control
A rapid first-aid check of airway, breathing and circulation before treating injuries. It decides priorities, and suspected spinal injury means the casualty should not be moved unnecessarily.
- Severe bleeding control
- Related: Primary survey, Scene safety
Applying firm direct pressure with a clean pad or cloth to a heavily bleeding wound, adding layers without removing soaked pads, and raising the limb until medical help arrives.
- Driver fatigue
- Related: Hazard perception, Drink-driving limit
Reduced alertness from tiredness, which slows reactions and can cause micro-sleeps. The remedy is to stop somewhere safe, rest or sleep, and avoid relying on coffee or fresh air.
- Vulnerable road user
- Related: Pedestrian crossing, Seat belt and restraints
A road user with little physical protection, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and children. Drivers should give them extra space, lower speed and more time to react.