There are ‘issues’ with 90% of the yellow boxes that councils are proposing to enforce under new powers, with more than half directly contravening government guidance, according to the RAC.
The motoring organisation said 27 local authorities have put forward proposals to enforce 111 junctions, following the Government’s decision last year to let councils outside London enforce moving traffic offences.
It commissioned chartered engineer Sam Wright, who was previously responsible for the design and approval of yellow boxes on the Transport for London road network, to review the applications.
The RAC said 61 junctions (55%) directly contravene the current government guidance, sometimes on multiple counts, including:
- 40 that pose visibility issues for drivers
- 16 that are on the side of the road opposite T-junctions which the Department for Transport (DfT) states serves ‘no useful purpose’
- 18 that extend beyond junctions such that they may be considered non-compliant with the regulations
- nine that are in non-permitted locations according to the regulations
The RAC said two of the biggest issues with the junctions that councils are looking to enforce relate to visibility and size. Drivers need clear visibility of the box, and where it ends, in order to comply with their duty to only enter it if their exit is clear.
In total, 40 boxes (36%) have visibility issues, the RAC said. ‘In some cases, drivers can’t even see there is a box present because of faded road markings, let alone where it ends.’
Mr Wright said: ‘Visibility issues are connected to the road layout, topography, buildings, box length, street furniture, trees, or a combination of these.’
The report added that 90 (81%) of the boxes proposed for enforcement are unnecessarily large.
It said nine junctions proposed for enforcement are in locations that are not stipulated in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (2016). These include boxes at roundabouts and gyratories without traffic lights and outside a private car park.
Mr Wright added: ‘Many of the boxes have been around for years, perhaps decades. It appears that many authorities have simply assumed that the boxes already on the ground are suitable for enforcement without carrying out a fresh assessment as is recommended in government guidance.’
RAC roads spokesperson Simon Williams warned that enforcement ‘may end up actually increasing congestion as a result of drivers hesitating before moving on for fear of being fined’.
He said: ‘This is the exact opposite of the justification for enforcement being undertaken.
‘We urge the Government to carry out an urgent review of its yellow box junction guidance and clarify what is and isn’t enforceable.
‘Councils should then be ordered to carry out audits of all the junctions they propose to enforce, including from the driver’s perspective.’
