A MAYORAL candidate has decided not to display roadside election signage due to the distraction he believes the signs cause to drivers.

Reid Schirmer told the NewsMail that election signage was a real cause for concern for road safety, especially near schools.

"Businesses generally do not advertise in the same way and so candidates at election time shouldn't either," he said.

"The roadside signs take the concentration of drivers away from keeping their eyes on the road. This is a major concern. Roadside signs near schools for example, become a safety issue for parents and children."

The Department of Transport and Main Roads issue road safety regulations to all candidates prior to election, stating the correct procedure for erecting election signs.

Regulations include the maximum size of an election sign as 0.6sq m and in rural areas where the speed limit is 80km/h or less, election signs must be located at least 3½ metres from the edge of the nearest traffic lane.

Mr Schirmer said he appreciated that candidates needed to gain exposure and let people know they were contesting but said there were other ways to advertise.

"For example, I have prepared a newsletter to be distributed to community groups," he said.

"I noticed one candidate set up a meet and greet table at a local shopping centre. There is also newspaper, television and radio advertising if you are willing to put a bit of money into it."

NewsMail Facebook commentators expressed their own opinions about election signs with a few mixed views on the topic.

"If your concentration is so poor you're distracted by signs on the side of the road then you should hand in your licence," Clint Heathorn said.

"No influence. I'm more interested in what they have to offer than how good they look on a sign," Jo-Anne Oliver said.

For information about election signage regualtions, visit http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au

What other Mayoral candidates thought:

Troy Madle: We definitely need to do it. You need to get your profile and picture out there. People need to be able to put a face to a name. If you abide by the rules and guidelines set about how far from the road you have to place the signs etc, I don't see any problem with it.


Elise Cottam: Signs are a necessary element for an election, otherwise people don't know who they are voting for. It is also about accountability. There is lots of legislation and requirements in place that we have to comply to when it comes to erecting these signs. They are a necessary tool to run an election and help to keep the community informed.


Peter Wyatt: Transport and Main Roads sends every candidate a letter on what they should or shouldn't do when it comes to signs. I think the signs are up too early. I think two weeks before the election is the perfect time. I'm a bit worried about putting mine up because I'm not too flash to look at. There is nothing wrong with signs. People need to see what they are going to get.


Jack Dempsey: In relation to road safety and election signs, there are rules and regualtions in place. At the end of the day, I think people want to focus on other issues and the positives rather than the negatives.