Drivers Fined Almost £1m for Yellow Box Violations Outside London and Cardiff in 2024
Motorists across England were handed nearly £1 million in fines from just 36 yellow box junctions outside London and Cardiff last year, according to new data obtained by the RAC.
The figures, obtained via Freedom of Information requests, show that drivers in 10 local authority areas newly granted powers to enforce “moving traffic offences” racked up 32,748 penalty charge notices (PCNs) worth £998,640 for stopping in yellow box junctions in 2024.
Manchester Tops the List
Leading the list was Manchester City Council, which issued a staggering 13,130 PCNs across six enforced yellow boxes—accounting for 49% of total fines and generating £446,706 in revenue. This equates to 36 fines per day on average.
Coming second was Medway Council in Kent, raising £145,162 from 4,433 PCNs issued at five yellow box junctions. Buckinghamshire County Council followed closely with 3,618 PCNs and £139,798 in fines from four boxes.
Together, these three councils were responsible for 65% of all PCNs and 73% of the total income.
Design Concerns and Disparities
The disproportionate number of fines being generated in a handful of locations has raised alarm among motoring organisations.
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 revealed that nine in ten yellow box junctions councils intended to enforce had problems, such as poor visibility, confusing layouts, and oversized boxes.
Boxes Working as Intended?
By contrast, some councils issued a comparatively small number of fines, suggesting their junctions are better designed and easier to navigate. For instance:
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Gloucestershire County Council issued just 30 PCNs between May and December 2024, raising £945.
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Leeds City Council handed out 50 PCNs in four months, generating £605 in revenue.
The most lucrative single junction was the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, where 4,250 PCNs were issued in just seven months—netting £81,445 in fines.
Rules and Recommendations
Under Highway Code rules, drivers must not enter a yellow box unless their exit is clear—except when waiting to turn right. Councils enforcing these junctions are instructed to issue warning notices only during the first six months of enforcement.
The RAC is urging the Department for Transport to update box junction design guidance, ensuring clarity around size, location, and visibility.
Dennis added:
“It’s vital box junctions are fairly set up so that drivers don’t find themselves stranded through no fault of their own. Very few people deliberately flout these rules.”
By the Numbers: Highest-Earning Yellow Box Locations (2024)
| Location | PCNs Issued | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkmanshulme Ln/Mount Rd, Manchester | 13,130 | £446,706 |
| A2 Rainham Rd/Ash Tree Ln, Gillingham | 4,433 | £145,162 |
| Station Rd/Packhorse Rd, Gerrards Cross | 3,618 | £139,798 |
| Dennis Roundabout, Guildford | 4,250 | £81,445 |
Key Points
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£998,640 in fines raised from 36 yellow boxes outside London/Cardiff.
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Just three councils responsible for 65% of PCNs and 73% of revenue.
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Concerns raised over box design and whether they function fairly.
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RAC urges urgent review of junction design standards.
