Stop Signs versus Give Way Signs - do you know the rules

Stop Sign v Give Way Sign

Stop Signs and Give Way Signs are both important traffic control devices that regulate the flow of traffic and ensure safety at intersections. While they serve similar purposes, there are distinct differences between the two signs in terms of the actions required from drivers.

   Source QLD TMR Website, see link below. 

Stop Sign

When approaching a Stop Sign, drivers must come to a complete halt behind the stop line or, if there is no stop line, at the marked stop sign itself. It is crucial to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and then obey the give way rules.

The driver must stop as near as practicable to, but before reaching the stop line; or if there is no stop line—the Stop Sign.

Give Way Sign

Give Way means to slow down and, if necessary, stop in order to prevent a crash from happening.

When approaching a Give Way sign, drivers must slow down, assess the traffic situation, and if necessary, stop.

Stop and Give Way Lines

Stop and Give Way lines have the same meaning and authority as Stop and Give Way signs.

If you approach a Stop line or Give Way line, where there is no corresponding sign installed, you must obey the road markings as if there was a sign in place.

Remember, there are lots of situations on the road where you must give way even if there is no sign.

You need to give way if:

• the rules say that you must
• there's a give way or stop sign
• there are stop or give way lines on the road
• you're turning right across the path of an oncoming vehicle at an intersection
• you're turning left or right at a T-intersection
• you're moving onto a road from a driveway or land next to a road
• you're moving off from being stopped on the side of the road
• you're doing a U-turn
• you're turning left at an intersection with a 'left turn on red after stopping' sign.

The TMR website has diagrams and videos to help learn more about giving way that can be found here.