Drivers warned of ‘avalanche’ of fines & being ‘treated poorly’ as councils get more power

TfL advise on how to correctly use a yellow box junction

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

From June 1, local councils across England will have greater powers to fine drivers and enforce yellow box junction penalties. The RAC claimed many motorists will be unfairly punished unless the Government improves its design, maintenance and enforcement guidelines for local authorities.

The Department for Transport (DfT) will soon begin accepting applications from councils to issue fines for moving traffic offences.

This includes yellow box misuse, making an illegal turn or driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

It is said that these changes are part of an effort to promote cycling and walking around the UK.

Successful applications will be able to issue penalty charge notices (PCNs) for these offences from June 1.

Government guidance on yellow boxes fails to state their specific function, how to design them in relation to vehicle movements or how to maintain or enforce them, according to the RAC.

To date, only local authorities in London and Cardiff – and elsewhere the police – have had the power to issue penalty charge notices for these infringements.

While RAC research shows 57 percent of drivers are generally in favour of yellow box junctions being enforced, it has discovered that many junctions have design flaws which cause drivers to become trapped through no fault of their own.

It even found that some are so poorly maintained that it is hard to see where the yellow lines start and where they finish.

DON’T MISS
Motorists urged to save on fuel costs by only half-filling tank [INSIGHT]
‘Now we know truth’ Fury as fuel retailers fail to pass on 5p duty cut [SHOCKING]
Major diesel law changing today with huge restriction on red diesel [WARNING]

Nicholas Lyes, RAC head of roads policy, said the organisation had written to the Department for Transport asking them to update the guidance.

It wants to make clear to local authorities what the minimum standard for design and condition of a box junction should be before letting enforcement begin.

Mr Lyes said: “In the absence of definitive guidance on the design, maintenance and enforcement of box junctions there will be a high degree of confusion among drivers and local authorities which could lead to an avalanche of penalty charge notices being wrongly issued and then having to be appealed.

“This will inevitably lead to an unnecessarily high number of appeals for local authorities to review, as well as some poor outcomes for drivers.

Book here

Book your MOT with the UK’s #1 MOT tester – just click the link to book online.


Source: Read Full Article