Yellow box junctions
What are yellow box junctions?
Yellow box junctions are indicated by criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road.
They are usually found at the junction of two or more roads and occasionally at roundabouts or outside fire and ambulance stations.
A yellow box junction does not require any other signage. Its purpose is to keep traffic on the roads flowing and prevent gridlock at junctions.
The yellow box marking conveys the prohibition that "a person must not cause a vehicle to enter the box junction so that the vehicle has to stop within the box junction due to the presence of stationary vehicles".
This means your exit must be clear of stationary vehicles before you enter the box junction. There must also be enough space beyond the yellow box for your vehicle to clear the box before coming to a stop.
Penalty Charge Notices (PCN)
Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) are issued to drivers stopping in the yellow box because they are breaking the law and causing a traffic jam.
We enforce the law to:
- help keep traffic moving
- reduce journey times on the road
- help reduce carbon emissions by minimising traffic congestion
- improve road safety by keeping sightlines clear for pedestrians
Yellow Box Junction exception
At cross roads, you can enter the yellow box and wait to turn right if you're prevented from proceeding by oncoming traffic or other vehicles that are also waiting to turn right.
At a T-Junction, the above right turn exception will not usually apply when emerging from a side road as there is no oncoming traffic (traffic will instead tend be coming from the side). But when emerging from a side road you may still enter and stop in a yellow box for the purpose of turning right as long as you are prevented from exiting due to moving traffic and not stationary vehicles. You are expected to exercise careful judgement in this scenario. If moving traffic came to a stop and blocked your exit while you are still waiting in the yellow box, then a contravention may occur as you are stopped due to the presence of stationary vehicles.
There are also other limited circumstances when you may stop in a Yellow Box Junction without committing an offence including :
- Emergency Stop to avoid or prevent a Accident
- Under the instruction of a uniformed Police Officer
- To allow a Pedestrian to cross – if safe to do so.
Do not simply follow the vehicle in front as it may stop and prevent your exit and don't let other drivers pressure you to enter the box when a clear exit is not available.
