The government of Queensland has dismissed a proposal to replace all stop signs in the state with give-way signs.

A petition with 391 signatures from Queensland residents was presented to authorities in late August, contending that stop signs lack “any significant safety benefit” and lead to increased fuel consumption for drivers.

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg stated that the advantages of stop signs in terms of safety surpass any operational issues caused by the need to halt.

The petition highlighted that the requirement for vehicles to halt completely is often unnecessary for safety. It also claimed that such stops could contribute to a higher incidence of rear-end collisions, as vehicles are forced to come to a full stop.

In his response, Minister Mickelberg emphasized that stop and give-way signs are distinct traffic control measures, each serving unique purposes in road safety and traffic management, and are installed based on established national engineering standards and traffic control guidelines.

He noted that stop signs are frequently placed at intersections where visibility is limited, with the goal of reducing the likelihood of accidents. While he acknowledged that stopping may lead to slightly higher fuel or energy usage compared to yielding, he maintained that the safety advantages of stop signs are more significant than these operational drawbacks.

Mickelberg acknowledged the potential costs that unnecessary traffic controls can impose on road users. However, he asserted that the installation of stop signs is determined by a thorough evaluation of specific conditions at each site, including visibility, intersection design, traffic levels, and safety records. He clarified that stop signs are not installed arbitrarily.

He concluded his remarks by encouraging Queensland residents to reach out to their local councils if they believe that an intersection is misrepresented by its signage.