Yellow box fines to hit whole of UK
Drivers across the country will soon be liable for fines for offences like stopping in yellow box junctions, the Government has indicated.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps looks set to hand all local councils legislative powers to crack down on ‘moving traffic violations’ – currently only available to London and Cardiff.
While accepting the move broadly makes sense, the RAC remains concerned some councils could use their new powers as a cash cow.
Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy at the RAC said: “Local authorities know where congestion might require some form of enforcement, particularly in the case of box junctions, so it stands to reason they should be able to improve this through the use of enforcement.
“However, we remain concerned that cash-strapped authorities may see this as an opportunity to extract more revenue from drivers.”
Read more: RAC calls on Government to update guidance on yellow box junctions
RAC legal expenses cover for just £15
Legal Care Plus is the RAC’s motor legal expenses insurance policy that is there to provide the cover you’ll need if you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, councils must apply for powers to tackle parking, bus lane contraventions and moving traffic violations. Many have taken measures to enforce parking and bus lane contraventions, but not moving traffic violations.
Members of the committee had raised concerns that police officers are too busy policing minor offences to deal with more serious crimes.
Mr Shapps said: “I have been looking at powers outside of London provided to local areas to do some of these things, and think that I’ll shortly be making an announcement.”
Transport for London has been penalising drivers for stopping in yellow box junctions for 15 years. In the 2017/18 financial year alone, it issued £16 million in fines.
In many cases drivers claim stopping was unavoidable – either because of traffic light sequencing, or because of drivers ahead of them blocking their path.
Drivers are allowed to wait in a box junction to turn right, providing their exit road is clear.
Nicholas Lyes added: “Should powers be extended to cover all moving traffic offences, local authorities must use this as an opportunity to improve traffic flow and safety, and not as a way to generate more revenue.”
Copyright Press Association 2019. Motoring News articles do not reflect the RAC's views unless clearly stated.
Is it illegal to drive without shoes?
Get the answer and more useful driving content sent straight to your inbox.
You might also like
Drivers guide to box-junctions and fines
A box junction is a traffic control designed to prevent gridlock. It’s defined by a yellow box filled with criss-cross yellow lines painted on a road.
Advanced Stop Lines - what are they and can I get fined for entering one?
Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs) are one of many causes for confusion among drivers, road users, and cyclists sharing the road.
Eight in 10 drivers struggle at yellow box junctions
With councils wanting powers to use cameras to catch drivers who stop in yellow box junctions, RAC research many struggle to get through them without stopping.
Fixed Penalty Notices: all you need to know
Fixed penalty notices could be issued for a wide range of traffic and motoring offences, including speeding or failing to wear a seatbelt.
Bus lanes: who can use them and when?
Bus lanes are used to separate traffic and ensure it flows freely through busy streets and are marked by dashed white lines or a solid white line.
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10