RTL Today – Unbelievable (but not true): There is a fault on all the “stop” signs in Luxembourg
A proposal for the least original is among the 13 petitions which have until April 14 to allow at least 4,500 signatures: it requests the correction of a spelling error that we come across every day.
Each new week brings its share of new petitions, an activity in which many citizens love to participate since the posting of public petitions on the website of the Chamber of Deputies.
One of them suggests simply replacing the “STOP” signs in the Grand Duchy, because they are a spelling mistake. Despite the form imposed internationally and the same meaning in most countries, the text may indeed vary from one country to another.
The director of the Center for the Luxembourg language confirms that the current form contains a spelling error: “and yes, of course, in Luxembourgish you should write “STOPP” with two “P” at the end. Orthographically, this form would also be correct because a short vowel is normally followed by two consonants. I admit to being annoyed every time I’m on the road and I read the word “STOP” on the signs in Luxembourgexclaims Luc Marteling, Luxembourgish language expert.
The first such panels appeared in 1915 in Detroit in the United States. The managers first experimented with several models before definitively adopting the English word STOP in red and white colors almost everywhere in the world.
Paul Hammelmann, President of Road Safety, believes that this could be a good idea: “it is a new concept and any novelty in automobile traffic is more respected because users are more aware of it“. He explains that the cost of such an evolution could help save lives, “which should be priceless in our eyes“.
The Minister of Transport, requested by RTL, did not wish to detail his ministry’s position at this stage. François Bausch in particular underlined the enormous costs linked to this possible change.
The request will first have to collect at least 4,500 signatures in order to be able to be debated publicly in plenary session of the Chamber.
(A very Happy April Fool’s Day everyone!)