…By Henry George for TDPel Media. Most yellow box junctions across the UK are problematic, which has led to drivers receiving fines for moving traffic offences.
This comes after local authorities outside London and Cardiff were given the power to enforce moving traffic offences, including issuing fines for stopping in yellow box junctions.
However, new stats from the RAC have found that nine in 10 of these junctions have problems with drivers being unfairly punished, and more than half of them go against the current government guidance.
Chartered engineer Sam Wright, who reviewed the applications with the RAC, highlighted that there are issues with 90% of boxes, particularly visibility issues, which could lead to an increase in driver fines.
Yellow box junctions are identified by crossed yellow lines and are designed to keep roads clear to avoid traffic.
They are often found at the junction of two or more roads, as well as outside fire stations and hospitals.
Sam Wright reviewed the applications with the RAC and found that 50 of the proposed boxes have visibility issues, while 18 would go beyond junctions where they’re considered “non-compliant”.
He warns that many boxes are barely visible due to a lack of maintenance, and the new council powers may lead to an increase in driver fines.
The RAC added that if a box, or part of a box, doesn’t protect the flow of traffic, the junction serves no purpose, and any fine is “unnecessary”.
Based on the research, experts warned drivers could be fined because the yellow lines are faded or unclear.
The RAC and Sam are now calling on the government and the Department for Transport (DfT) to review guidance.
Simon Williams, RAC roads spokesman, urged the government to carry out an urgent review of its yellow box junction guidance and clarify what is and isn’t enforceable.
He added that it’s vital that size and visibility issues are resolved once and for all, and councils should carry out audits of all the junctions they propose to enforce, including from the driver’s perspective.
If adjudicators find councils have wrongly enforced junctions, they must be obliged to refund any fines issued and correct the junctions in question.
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