By KHT Staff
CHIAYI — Chiayi City (嘉義市) has been testing red road markings with white “stop” characters at seven intersections as part of a low-cost effort to make stop-controlled junctions more visible, local officials said.
The pilot markings have been in place for more than six months at intersections, including those on Chengren Street and Beirong Street, and Yanping Street and Xinzhong Street, according to a report by UDN.
Chiayi City’s Transportation Department said crashes have decreased at some of the pilot locations and that the markings have received positive feedback from residents. Officials said they would continue monitoring the results while improving signage, public education, and the overall design of the intersections.
However, Chiayi City Councilor Huang Ying-chih (黃盈智) said some residents remain confused by the new markings, particularly when the red stop area appears alongside existing white lines, red lines, yellow box junctions, and legal motorcycle parking spaces.
Huang said some drivers are also unclear about what “stop and proceed” means in practice, including whether slowing down is enough or whether vehicles must come to a full stop.
The Transportation Department said the red-and-white stop area and the red octagonal “stop and proceed” marking both require drivers to bring their vehicle to a complete stop, check that the intersection is safe, and only then continue. Simply slowing down is not enough, the department said.
The city said it would continue reviewing the pilot program before deciding whether the markings should be adjusted or expanded.
