Warning as new cameras installed on major motorway junction – don’t get caught out

NEW cameras have been installed along a major motorway designed to catch motorists stopping where they shouldn’t.

They will be placed by one of the busiest junctions in the Black Country in a bid to help ease congestion and air quality.

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Motorists could get caught for stopping in a yellow box area[/caption]

Sandwell Council has confirmed that enforcement cameras will monitor the painted yellow box on the road off Junction 1 of the motorway in West Bromwich.

Painted hashed yellow markings are often present at roundabouts and traffic lights and are designed to help battle congestion.

Drivers can only enter a yellow box when there is enough room for their car to fit on the other side of the markings—or when they are waiting for a space to turn right.

They also keep the space free to ensure that fire engines always have a clear exit from fire stations.

Yellow box junctions don’t require signage, so drivers will need to keep an eye out for them.

Many yellow box junctions are monitored by enforcement cameras, which can automatically process penalty charge notices if you illegally stop in one.

Sandwell Council has said the cameras will be put in place later in the year, or early next year.

Cllr Keith Allcock, at Sandwell Council, said: “Sandwell Council has been granted Moving Traffic Contravention powers by the DfT for six trial sites. One of those is the yellow box junction on Junction 1 M5.

“Acquiring these powers will allow Sandwell to continue to be more proactive in improving road safety, air quality, congestion, and network management.

“We are currently in the process of buying the enforcement cameras for the six trial sites.

“Applying for these powers puts Sandwell in line with all other West Midlands councils and in the meantime West Midlands Police still have concurrent powers in relation to enforcing moving traffic contraventions, including yellow boxes.”

Sandwell is one of 27 councils planning on implementing the fining system, which has been slammed by experts as a “cash cow” trap.

Fines of up to £160 could be issued across the country, but critics claim 90 percent of the boxes are problematic.

According to a report carried out by the RAC, more than 40 yellow boxes around Britain pose visibility issues for drivers.

Sam Wright, an engineer who used to be responsible for the design and approval of yellow boxes for Transport for London, claims that 16 yellow boxes are on the side of the road opposite T-junctions, which the DfT has stated serves “no useful purpose”.

The expert, who runs a website called Yellow Box Guru, told the Daily Mail: “No local authority plans ever seem to review the visibility of a box from a driver’s point of view, let alone when dark, if the weather is bad or there is congestion up ahead.

“You can overhang a box for just a moment and get a ticket. A fine often earns councils money but serves no traffic purpose.

“The rules are extremely complicated, so it’s common for assessors to disagree between themselves on the interpretations and whether a ticket is due.

“For example, it’s unclear whether a stationary bicycle that has forced you to stop in a yellow box would qualify as a “stationary vehicle” or not.

“Markings should be clear during the daytime, in bad weather and at night. If this is not the case, take photographs from a motorist’s point of view as evidence.

“Motorists who think they have been unfairly caught should appeal their fine. Drivers should have adequate visibility beyond the box to be able to make a clear judgment before entering it.”