Forum Topic

Yellow box - PHS/Lacey Rd

Bit of an anorak question here but I'm generally curious. A couple of evenings I've waited on the pavement near the junction of PHS and Lacy Road. Twice I've seen some angry exchanges between drivers and surprisingly a bus driver. Picture the scene. Heading South on PHS and you want to turn right into Lacey Road. There is a yellow box there with a camera above. I don't have cause up that way but my understanding is to stop in that box is to get a fine. I imagine it's pretty steep. Anyway twice I've seen cars signalling right stop before the box and wait for a gap rather than pull into the box and wait there. The driver behind one car was beeping his horn for all he was worth and on another occasion a bus repeatedly flashed its headlights to encourage the driver to move. Should I find myself driving there do you have any thoughts? I imagine that as the driver drivers will not be paying the fine it's best not to enter the box until there is room the other side and no approaching cars causing you to stop. There isn't room in the box anyway for northbound traffic to pass but I guess stopping in the middle will make it easier to find a gap in the south bound traffic and so free up the flow. Sorry as I said it is a bit of a dull question but given a bus driver was at it I thought I might have misunderstood the rules.

John Geoffries ● 1909d12 Comments

Maxine my former colleague mentioned yesterday that he had a similar issue to you. Like you he was aware of the rule helpfully posted above and went into the box to turn right. Fine 1 was when a double decker coming down PHS presumably went through as the lights were changing meaning that by the time it passed him and he set off his light was red when he was still in the box.  The second time was very similar to your experience. He was in the box behind another car and they both set out when safe but some pedestians zipped across when they shouldn't have and whilst the first car had cleared the box when stopped for them the second car hadn't cleared the box so received his second fine a few weeks after the first. He now waits outside the yellow box even though he's not strictly right but he doesn't want a third fine. It's amazing how much revenue is generated by those cameras and being all automated it's not as if a human looks at it and takes a view as to whether a fine is justified. They really are cash generators. I'm sure appeals are possible but who has the time for all that especially weeks after the incident when memory is often a bit fuzzy as to the specifics.

John Geoffries ● 1907d

in my learner driver days many years ago i was taught that for turning right i was allowed to go into a boxed junction. i think people are scared of the fine. i was caught myself once when the car in front who had turned right into phs from lacy road decided to stop to let late passengers cross leaving me partially caught on the box. very infuriating.

Maxine Campbell ● 1908d

"But why in a 30 mph zone do I slow down to 25 mph"Wooow. Sounds like one for our Michael Brown.

David Ainsworth ● 1908d

But why in a 30 mph zone do I slow dozen to 25 mph rather than just check I'm doing a steady 30 mph. Of course, in many parts of London getting up to 10 mph is an achievement ...

Michael Ixer ● 1908d

I would think you slow down to make sure you don't get flashed, as most drivers instinctively do. Nothing more than that.

Sue Hammond ● 1908d

It's interesting; box junctions were introduced in 1967 so have been in the Highway Code for a long time - and I'm sure everyone on this forum that drives buys and reads all new versions of driver's bible when one is published. I do wonder if people see cameras whether make them extra cautious? I have a tendency to slow down under the limit if a see a speed camera - is that a distrust of technology from having been a software developer at one time ...

Michael Ixer ● 1908d

Michael has provided the correct answer. You will not be fined if you have entered the yellow box as permitted. Drivers should know this, as it’s clearly    laid out in the Highway Code. The bus and other driver were clearly frustrated with the driver blocking the junction most probably due to their lack of Highway Code knowledge, rather than for any other reason.

Paul Clements ● 1909d

Partially Freddie although it was always a bit of a squeeze with double decker getting passed especially when several buses were parked at the bus stop opposite.

Ed Robinson ● 1909d

Isn’t this a result of widening the pavement, basically removing the filter lane for people wanting to get to the shopping centre car park?

Freddie Francis ● 1909d

John, Lacy Rd, crossing is one of the stupidest crossings in the High Street even for the pedestrian. I find I have to look backwards and forwards 10 times to see if I can cross the road.

Barbara Stevens ● 1909d

Hi, I don't know what the correct answer is but knowing that this box is one of the highest earners if not the highest for Wandsworth, I wouldn't risk it.

Catherine ● 1909d

From the Highway Code:174174 (box junctions)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.https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/road-junctions.html

Michael Ixer ● 1909d