Drivers Fined Nearly £1M at Just 36 Yellow Box Junctions Outside London
Motorists across England were slugged with almost £1 million in fines for stopping in yellow box junctions – and it’s happening away from London and Cardiff. The RAC has revealed that just 36 yellow box junctions issued a staggering 32,748 fines in 2024 alone.
Manchester Tops Fine List with Jaw-Dropping 13,130 Tickets
Leading the charge, Manchester City Council handed out a whopping 13,130 penalty charge notices (PCNs) across six yellow box sites. That’s nearly half (49%) of all fines issued, raking in £446,706. Manchester averages 36 fines every day for drivers jumping the box.
Medway Council in Kent came second with 4,433 fines, netting £145,162. Buckinghamshire County Council followed closely, issuing 3,618 tickets and collecting just under £140k. Together, these three councils account for 65% of all fines and 73% of revenue from yellow boxes outside London and Cardiff.
Design Flaws Spark Alarm Bells
The concentration of fines in such a small number of spots has industry experts worried. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis warned:
“The large number of penalties being dished out over a small number of locations and in a short space of time should send alarm bells ringing in council offices.”
The RAC has previously flagged that 90% of enforced yellow box junctions suffer from problems like poor visibility, confusing layouts, and boxes that are just too big.
Some Councils Keep It Fair and Easy
Not all councils are cashing in big. For instance, Gloucestershire County Council issued just 30 fines (£945 revenue) between May and December 2024. Similarly, Leeds City Council levied 50 fines worth £605 in four months. This suggests their yellow box junctions are better designed and more user-friendly.
The most lucrative single spot was the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, which fined drivers 4,250 times in seven months – pocketing £81,445.
Rules & Calls for Reform
Under the Highway Code, drivers must only enter yellow box junctions if their exit is clear, except when turning right.
Councils are encouraged to issue warning notices in the first six months of enforcement. The RAC urges the Department for Transport to urgently update yellow box design guidelines to improve clarity, size, and visibility.
“It’s vital box junctions are fairly set up so drivers don’t find themselves stranded through no fault of their own. Very few people deliberately flout these rules,” Dennis added.
Top-Earning Yellow Box Junctions in 2024
Location PCNs Issued Revenue Kirkmanshulme Ln/Mount Rd, Manchester 13,130 £446,706 A2 Rainham Rd/Ash Tree Ln, Medway 4,433 £145,162 Station Rd/Packhorse Rd, Gerrards Cross 3,618 £139,798 Dennis Roundabout, Guildford 4,250 £81,445
Key Takeaways
- Nearly £1 million in fines from only 36 yellow box junctions outside London and Cardiff in 2024
- Just three councils issued 65% of these penalty notices and collected 73% of the total revenue
- Serious concerns over junction designs causing unfair fines and driver confusion
- RAC calls for urgent review and update of yellow box junction guidelines to protect drivers
