‘Mind the orange boxes’

A motorcyclist stopping inside the orange box while informed car drivers wait outside the box at the junction of Jalan Perak and Jalan Datuk Keramat in George Town, Penang. — Filepic

MORE efforts are under way to create greater awareness among motorists on the orange boxes at traffic lights junctions meant for motorcyclists and cyclists.

Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) infrastructure and traffic committee alternate chairman

Tan Seng Keat said the city council was planning a public campaign to increase awareness of those boxes.

The plan includes educational videos and awareness development channels such as billboards and flyers.

“The council wants to ensure the safety of road users especially motorcyclists and cyclists, ” he said.

He said so far, there is no law or enforcement action against motorists who disregard the orange box and stop their vehicle on it.

“I received feedback and several complaints about such behaviour by motorists after the orange boxes were drawn at a number of traffic lights junctions in George Town in February last year.

“The orange boxes were first added at the junctions of Jalan Perak and Jalan Datuk Keramat.

“The number has grown since grown to 19 boxes now, ” he said.

Some road users interviewed said they were initially clueless about the orange boxes but later got to know about their purpose.

Kamal Nordin, 39, said he first thought it was for pedestrians.

“I only knew much later after a friend told me what it was for, ” he said adding that as a motorcyclist, he enjoyed the safety of the extra space.

Kamal, however, expressed regret when noticing some car drivers stopping their vehicles on the orange boxes at a red light.

Another motorcyclist A. Shanmugam said he hoped MBPP would place road signs at traffic lights junctions with orange boxes to remind car drivers what those boxes are for.