Penalty for three second stop

What would have happened to the cross-flow traffic if your son's route remained obstructed? That would have far more influence on traffic flow.

Possibly, but this wasn't one of them.

If it was still deemed that he had committed the offence, he would have to pay the higher penalty.

No. He committed the offence.

There are situations where even if you try to drive within the law, you unintentionally fall outside it. It might seem unfair, but that's life.

Chris

Why would that slow the traffic up, the car just the other side the box junction isn't going to travel any slower.

Short of the car behind driving into you I can't think of an obvious one

Like what? Do not enter the box junction unless your exit road is clear. You may enter the junction if you're attempting to turn right provided the exit road is clear and are only prevented from doing so because of oncoming traffic.

That's from memory. Banged to rights I'd say.

Apart from the right turn, what circumstances would you enter the box junction and then stop?

I agree with you. IME, box junctions and 'Keep Clear' markings on the road are the most widely abused directions on our roads.

If there is not sufficient of a gap on the other side of the box junction to accommodate your vehicle - then you don't enter it until there is.

Kev

From the Highway Code (Rule 174):

"Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (see 'Road markings'). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping."

IIRC, "MUST NOT" means the rule has an enhanced legal status. If your son has passed his driving test, why has he ignored/forgotten the basic rules of the road?

These boxes are painted on roads (at some expense) to keep areas clear for other road users. It's a bit rich when selfish/asleep/ignorant people (who don't know the Highway code) choose to stop on them and then get upset at getting fined! I mean, it's not like you even have to buy the thing any more - it's online free to cheapskates..

"john bently" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Highway Code, rule 174.

Zathras gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

It means it's forbidden by law, rather than merely bad practice.

What, he's there still? He's been there for at least an hour? That must be a terrible traffic jam.

Yes, because that's the traffic rules. If you get stuck in the box section, then you might block other traffic.

Who cares that cars behind you have to wait? You owe them nothing.

If going straight ahead you don't enter the Yellow Box if the exit on the other side cannot accommodate your car .You wait until it is clear ( watching your traffic lights of course) .If that holds up cars behind you then so be it ...they don't have to pay any penalties .

Can you confirm that the penalty is for stopping on the hatched area?

It isn't clear from what you've said what the actual offence was for, other than stopping for three seconds.

"john bently" wrote

The law requires you not to enter a box junction [1] unless your exit is clear - simple as.

John.

There are instances when the position was clear when you entered the box, but had to give way to traffic. Turning right is one example where you have to cross a line of moving traffic. The important point, is that your "exit must be clear when you enter the hatched area".

TfL actually found that to be the case at many junctions when they first started enforcement. No one would cross the junction unless the way was definitely clear, so overall traffic throughput reduced, and in the end that caused further congestion upstream.

What if it's not a yellow box junction, but instead one of those white "Keep clear" sections? Does the same rule apply? Why different types?

What else would make any sense?

Different traffic regs.

"Ste" wrote

In that case they should remove the box junction markings.

John.

No.

Or he could change his name to Ali Hamza and claim he's a muslim who does not speaka da Engleesh. He might be let off.

In message , john bently writes

Was the listed offence actually stopping on the junction or was he snapped because the lights were red by this time and he's being done for jumping the red?