BAD ATTITUDE: Despite having an overhead pedestrian bridge with escalators, many still choose to endanger their lives and that of others
ALOR STAR: THIS is no ordinary overhead pedestrian bridge! On one side, it is equipped with an escalator -- a feature very unique to the bridge which links to the famous Pekan Rabu, the pride of Malay entrepreneurs in Kedah.
Unfortunately, despite the presence of the high-tech staircase, patrons to Pekan Rabu still prefer dicing with death by crossing the 50m-wide three-lane Jalan Tunku Ibrahim to reach the shopping complex.
A check by Streets recently, showed jaywalking was rampant when traffic along the road was light.
However, even during peak hours, such as lunch time, many pedestrians still flout the law.
And the law-breakers included both the young and old.
Although there have been no cases of jaywalkers being knocked down by vehicles, the errant pedestrians and Pekan Rabu patrons have their reasons for breaking the laws.
One self-confessed jaywalker Baharun Darus said he welcomed the addition of the two-way escalator to the overhead pedestrian bridge that links to Pekan Rabu.
"It was one of the best facilities ever built for Pekan Rabu. Patrons who park their cars across the shopping complex could reach the complex easily by using the escalators," he said.
However, the 52-year-old said many people still take the short cut by crossing the road since it was simply faster to reach Pekan Rabu.
"I know we are risking our lives. We have been very lucky so far," said Baharun.
Another Pekan Rabu jaywalker, who declined to be named, said the Alor Star City Council should station enforcement officers to book those who flout the law.
"If anything, their presence would deter jaywalkers. If the public refuses to use the facilities, we should just punish them and that includes me too," he said.
He said if the officers were around, many people would use the escalator or the footbridge, on the other side of Pekan Rabu, instead of risking their lives by jaywalking.
State Road Safety Department director M. Surentharan said jaywalking was rampant in Jalan Tunku Ibrahim.
"It's all about attitude.
"An overhead pedestrian bridge with escalator has been provided but some people still prefer to jaywalk and endanger the lives of others as well," he said.