A law change that will give local authorities the power to enforce yellow box junctions from June 1 could lead to an "avalanche" of fines for drivers, according to the RAC. The roadside assistance and insurance company believes thousands of motorists will be wrongly issued with penalty charge notices when councils take over enforcement powers that have previously been undertaken by police, aside from in London and Cardiff, where the local authorities already assume such responsibilities.
But, from June, councils will be able to apply for the power to enforce moving traffic offences, including driving through "no entry" signs as well as those displaying no left and right turns. It is the yellow boxes, however, which are designed to avoid gridlock at junctions that the RAC feel could lead to drivers being unfairly punished and the body is calling on the Government to improve its official design and maintenance of the road markings, as well as its enforcement guidance.
The RAC has discovered that many junctions have design flaws which cause drivers to become trapped in the boxes through no fault of their own, and that some are so poorly maintained that it’s difficult to ascertain where the yellow lines start and finish. This can be because the boxes have been placed in the wrong position, or are larger than they should be, while some can be obscured by buildings or other street furniture.
