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Barrister outlines three ways drivers can appeal a yellow box junction fine
Barrister Daniel ShenSmith has explained the circumstances in which motorists could challenge a yellow box junction penalty, including waiting to turn right and cases where roadworks obscure the exit. He advises drivers to gather evidence such as dashcam footage and to verify that temporary traffic restrictions were properly authorised.
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Yellow box junctions are designed to keep traffic moving, but drivers who stop inside one unlawfully can face a fine of up to £130. Barrister Daniel ShenSmith, a barrister of England and Wales and the creator of BlackBeltBarrister, has outlined circumstances in which motorists may have grounds to challenge a penalty.
The rules governing yellow box junctions are set out in Rule 174 of the Highway Code, which states that drivers must not enter a box junction until their exit road or lane is clear. There is, however, an important exception for motorists waiting to turn right.
Speaking on his BlackBeltBarrister YouTube channel, ShenSmith said: "174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right."
At signalled roundabouts, motorists must not enter the box unless they can cross it completely without stopping. Rule 174 is backed by law under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. "And when there's law that underpins it, there's usually a fine that comes along with it," he said.
The amount of the penalty depends on where the offence occurs and the enforcement regime in place. Drivers who enter a box when their exit is not clear and then stop could face a £70 penalty in most parts of the country, while the charge can rise to £130 in London.
The rules are intended to prevent gridlock. If a driver stops inside a junction because traffic ahead is stationary, they can block vehicles travelling in another direction when the lights change.
ShenSmith said there are three circumstances in which motorists may have grounds to appeal a penalty. One example could be where temporary roadworks make it genuinely difficult for a driver to see whether the exit lane is clear.
He suggested that motorists could check whether temporary road restrictions were properly authorised by submitting a Freedom of Information request to the local authority. There could also be "narrower circumstances" where it is unreasonable to expect a driver to see the exit, such as a particularly large distance across the junction or where the road curves over a hill.
"If you've got a situation where you can't really see the other side and you can't reasonably see whether the exit lane is clear," he said, the driver may have grounds for a challenge.
Evidence, ShenSmith stressed, is crucial. "As with all of these things, evidence is the key," he said. He recommended taking photographs showing the junction from the position the vehicle was in before entering, and advised that dashcam footage could be particularly useful. "If you have, download it, save it," he said.
"Ultimately, if you want to challenge these things, there are lots of successful challenges by way of appeal," he added.
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Yellow box junctions are covered by Rule 174 of the Highway Code, which states that drivers must not enter one until their exit road or lane is clear.
There is an exception for motorists waiting to turn right.
Daniel ShenSmith is a barrister of England and Wales and creator of BlackBeltBarrister.
ShenSmith said: '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right,' reports MyLondon.
Rule 174 is backed by law under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.
Drivers who enter a yellow box without a clear exit and then stop can receive a penalty.
The amount of the penalty depends on where the offence occurs and the enforcement regime in place.
ShenSmith outlined circumstances in which motorists could potentially challenge a penalty, such as temporary roadworks making it difficult to see whether the exit lane is clear.
ShenSmith suggested motorists could submit a Freedom of Information request to their local authority to check if temporary road restrictions were properly authorised.
ShenSmith mentioned 'narrower circumstances' where the road layout could make it unreasonable to expect a driver to see the exit, such as a large distance across the junction or the road curving over a hill.
ShenSmith said, 'As with all of these things, evidence is the key.'
ShenSmith said, 'If you have, download it, save it,' regarding dashcam footage.
ShenSmith said, '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right.'
Framing: Headline announces that a lawyer explains when a yellow box junction fine can be appealed, listing three key reasons.
Facts Included:
Yellow box junctions are covered by Rule 174 of the Highway Code, which states that drivers must not enter one until their exit road or lane is clear.
There is an exception for motorists waiting to turn right.
Daniel ShenSmith is a barrister of England and Wales and creator of BlackBeltBarrister.
ShenSmith said: '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right,' reports MyLondon.
Rule 174 is backed by law under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.
Drivers who enter a yellow box without a clear exit and then stop can receive a penalty.
The amount of the penalty depends on where the offence occurs and the enforcement regime in place.
ShenSmith outlined circumstances in which motorists could potentially challenge a penalty, such as temporary roadworks making it difficult to see whether the exit lane is clear.
ShenSmith suggested motorists could submit a Freedom of Information request to their local authority to check if temporary road restrictions were properly authorised.
ShenSmith mentioned 'narrower circumstances' where the road layout could make it unreasonable to expect a driver to see the exit, such as a large distance across the junction or the road curving over a hill.
ShenSmith said, 'As with all of these things, evidence is the key.'
ShenSmith said, 'If you have, download it, save it,' regarding dashcam footage.
ShenSmith said, '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right.'
Yellow box junctions are covered by Rule 174 of the Highway Code, which states that drivers must not enter one until their exit road or lane is clear.
There is an exception for motorists waiting to turn right.
Daniel ShenSmith is a barrister of England and Wales and creator of BlackBeltBarrister.
ShenSmith said: '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right,' reports MyLondon.
Rule 174 is backed by law under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.
Drivers who enter a yellow box without a clear exit and then stop can receive a penalty.
The amount of the penalty depends on where the offence occurs and the enforcement regime in place.
ShenSmith outlined circumstances in which motorists could potentially challenge a penalty, such as temporary roadworks making it difficult to see whether the exit lane is clear.
ShenSmith suggested motorists could submit a Freedom of Information request to their local authority to check if temporary road restrictions were properly authorised.
ShenSmith mentioned 'narrower circumstances' where the road layout could make it unreasonable to expect a driver to see the exit, such as a large distance across the junction or the road curving over a hill.
ShenSmith said, 'As with all of these things, evidence is the key.'
ShenSmith said, 'If you have, download it, save it,' regarding dashcam footage.
ShenSmith said, '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right.'
Framing: The headline highlights the practical advice: a lawyer clarifies how to appeal a yellow box junction fine, listing three ways. — Informative and practical, with a focus on legal rights and appeals.
Facts Included:
Daniel ShenSmith is a barrister of England and Wales and the creator of BlackBeltBarrister.
Yellow box junctions are covered by Rule 174 of the Highway Code.
ShenSmith explained that you may enter a box junction to wait to turn right if stopped by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.
At signalled roundabouts, drivers must not enter the box unless they can cross it completely without stopping.
Drivers who enter a box when their exit is not clear and then stop could face a £70 penalty in most parts of the country.
The charge can rise to £130 in London.
ShenSmith said there are three circumstances in which motorists may have grounds to appeal a penalty.
One example could be where temporary roadworks make it impossible for a driver to properly see whether the exit lane is clear.
He suggested motorists could check whether temporary road restrictions were properly authorised by submitting a Freedom of Information request to the local authority.
There could be 'narrower circumstances' where it is unreasonable to see the exit, such as a large distance or a hill.
ShenSmith said, 'As with all of these things, evidence is key.'
ShenSmith advised downloading and saving dashcam footage.
ShenSmith said, 'Ultimately, if you want to challenge these things, there are lots of successful challenges by way of appeal.'
Framing: Highlights when you can appeal a yellow box junction fine, listing three key reasons
Facts Included:
Yellow box junctions are a common sight on UK roads
Drivers who stop in one unlawfully could face a fine of up to £130
Daniel ShenSmith, a barrister of England and Wales and creator of BlackBeltBarrister, has explained what motorists should know if they receive a penalty
Rule 174 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not enter one until their exit road or lane is clear
An exception for motorists waiting to turn right: you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right
At signalled roundabouts, motorists must not enter the box unless they can cross it completely without stopping
Rule 174 is backed by law under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions
The amount of the fine depends on where the offence occurs and the enforcement regime in place
One appeal circumstance is temporary roadworks making it genuinely difficult to see whether the exit lane is clear
Motorists could submit a Freedom of Information request to their local authority to investigate whether temporary road restrictions had been properly authorised
Another appeal circumstance is when it is unreasonable to expect a driver to see the exit lane due to road layout, such as a particularly large distance or a curve
He recommended checking if temporary road restrictions were properly authorised
ShenSmith said there could be 'narrower circumstances' where it is unreasonable to expect a driver to see the exit
He said: 'If you've got a situation where you can't really see the other side and you can't reasonably see whether the exit lane is clear'
He said: '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right'
He said: 'And when there's law that underpins it, there's usually a fine that comes along with it'
He said: 'As with all of these things, evidence is the key'
He recommended taking photographs showing the junction from the position the vehicle was in before entering
Dashcam footage could also prove particularly useful
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimYellow box junctions are covered by Rule 174 of the Highway Code, which states that drivers must not enter one until their exit road or lane is clear.
ClaimThere is an exception for motorists waiting to turn right, allowing them to enter a yellow box junction and wait if stopped by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.
ClaimOne circumstance where a penalty could be challenged is when temporary roadworks make it genuinely difficult for a driver to see whether the exit lane is clear.
ClaimMotorists could challenge a penalty by investigating whether temporary road restrictions had been properly authorised through a Freedom of Information request to the local authority.
ClaimThere may be 'narrower circumstances' where it is unreasonable to expect a driver to see the exit, such as a particularly large distance across the junction or where the road curves over a hill.
ClaimShenSmith said: '174 of the Highway Code provides that you may enter the box junction and wait to turn right if you're stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right.'
ClaimShenSmith said: 'If you've got a situation where you can't really see the other side and you can't reasonably see whether the exit lane is clear.'