The Money Box!

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21023615
There was a lot of whinning about this yellow box junction on News24 this morning. Brought in £3m apparanetly. All manner of the usual adjectives where used, "scandalous"! etc but no one mentioned the obvious, ie obey the rules of the yellow box and you won't get fined! Why is this particular box so difficult to use correctly?

[ludwig]

// Instead of fining them, a week or month driving ban for persistant offenders would improve traffic flow and alter behaviour. //

(say a keen cyclist)

It's true though. If only they cared about improving traffic flow and altering behaviour, rather than making money.

[ludwig]

There's an interesting Panorama program on this very subject right now.

[ludwig]

..which basically confirmed (through emails obtained through the freedom of information act) a deliberate revenue raising policy on behalf of Hammersmith and Fulham council, as regards traffic fines.

Targets are set, and reductions in the number of fines issued (ie improvements in driver behaviour) are viewed with concern, whereas increases in traffic fine revenue (indicating reduced driver compliance with traffic rules) are greeted with high fives and congratulations all round.

[jackthehat]

This might help those who are outside of the area understand exactly what the problem is:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2340680/Highway-robbery-How-I-proved-town-hall-traffic-fines-bad-driving--just-grubby-money-making-scam.html

[Gromit]

It is a very simple rule.
You should only ever enter a yellow box if you can see it is clear to exit it.

The man in JTHs link seems to think this is a badly designed junction. It is difficult to see how else they could control it. There is only room for 4 cars to the next set of lights before the exit from th box is closed. Blocking traffic the other way means that a queue will build up behind it blocking the next junction, so they are making the problem in the first place.

[jno]

better phasing of lights might deal with it so that both traffic going straight ahead and that turning right can proceed through two sets of green light without being stopped.

If they want to deal with it.

[jackthehat]

Drivers who are focused on 'making progress' are more reluctant to wave other drivers on/across and drivers who are worried about becoming trapped in the money-box will be even more so.

This is by no means the only junction configured in this way and yet the others are taken in their stride by the motorists who use them; they have to make allowances for turning/joining traffic, and do so.

This threat of being caught out and fined will alter the driving habits of people.....

[Canary42]

So if you've got a long vehicle, you'll sit there for ever as shorter vehicles switch lanes and fill the gap which is big enough for them but not for you - what a splendid idea.