'It's dumb': New change to road rule divides opinion
A road rule observed in Brisbane has been abolished with people divided about whether or not it should still stand.
In 2013, Brisbane City Council introduced a trial of Left Turn on Red signs at five intersections across the city, which was extended to 50 in 2014.
The rule allows drivers to turn left at a red light, when signed, as long as they come to a complete stop and give way to all traffic and pedestrians. South Australia and NSW also have the rule at some intersections.
Brisbane Council decided in 2017 to extend the trial until May 2021, but decommissioned a number of them including at Albion, Fortitude Valley and Spring Hill leaving just 17.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey told ABC Radio Brisbane last week there were concerns for “vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians”.
“The benefits just don't outweigh the safety risks for users of our roads,” Mr Bailey said.
Research showed the signs saved drivers on average about nine seconds. By June 30, all of the signs will be removed.
Left Turn On Red sign divides opinion
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads reminded drivers on Facebook on Monday they “won't be seeing these signs around anymore”.
And it seems the decision to remove them has divided people across Brisbane.
One man called the rule “dumb”.
“You can't have two rules for going through red lights, one that says you can and one that says you can't,” he wrote.
Another man suggested “safety has to come first”, while one woman wrote she hates them and will be “glad to see them gone”.
“Good. A lot of people treat them as a give way and not a stop sign,” another man wrote.
Others lamented, claiming the signs were handy and saved travel time.
“They are the only good thing left on the road,” one man wrote.
Another man called the removal of the signs “disappointing”.
“Taking this away is just going backwards,” a third man wrote.
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