The Yellow Box Guru Taking on Council Fines
They have been described as 'lean, mean, money-making machines' that terrify even the most careful motorist. Every year, yellow box junctions generate tens of thousands of penalty charge notices (PCNs) across the UK, but one man is leading a fierce campaign against what he calls an 'unfair system'. Sam Wright, a 48-year-old chartered engineer, is fighting back against local authorities he claims are wrongly issuing fines to law-abiding drivers.
How TikTok is Helping Drivers Challenge Unjust PCNs
Sam Wright, known online as the 'Yellow Box Guru', has built a substantial following on TikTok where he names and shames what he considers unjust fines. His videos help thousands of followers understand how to successfully appeal their tickets. In just the last 18 months, Sam has helped secure hundreds of overturned fines.
Speaking to Metro, Sam explained his motivation: 'At the moment a lot of drivers are being ripped off and it is a very unfair system. A lot of people are getting tickets when they are not guilty. Authorities are misquoting the law to them in a way that makes them think they are.'
Some of the cases he has challenged appear particularly harsh. These include a motorcyclist fined for having a wheel just centimetres over the line and a car that was inside a yellow box for mere seconds. Both faced £160 fines in London, reduced to £80 if paid within two weeks.
The Legal Loophole and Campaign for Change
Sam's expertise comes from his previous work with Transport for London, where he was involved in yellow box design approval. He now uses his technical knowledge to challenge fines based on the precise wording of the law rather than the Highway Code.
He highlights a crucial distinction: while the Highway Code states 'you MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear', the actual law is more specific. The legislation states that an offence only occurs when a driver enters a yellow box 'so that the vehicle has to stop within the box junction due to the presence of stationary vehicles.'
Sam argues this means it's only an offence when you stop because of 'stationary vehicles' blocking your path. If you enter lawfully but circumstances change - such as another vehicle suddenly cutting you off - no offence has been committed.
His research for the RAC revealed that nearly every one of 100 yellow box junctions analysed in London and Cardiff was larger than necessary. Some extended beyond junctions, were in non-permitted locations, or covered the far side of T-junctions unnecessarily.
Last year alone, more than 32,000 PCNs were issued for yellow box offences. Sam believes many motorists pay without realising they have strong grounds for appeal.
He is now spearheading a petition calling for law changes, including aligning the Highway Code with the actual legislation and introducing a 10-second grace period before a PCN is issued.
However, Transport for London maintains that 'yellow box junctions play a vital role in keeping traffic in London moving' and that 'penalty charge notices are issued in line with all relevant legislation when people break the rules and are issued to keep people safe and reduce congestion, rather than simply to raise revenue.'
A Department for Transport spokesperson told Metro: 'Local councils are responsible for implementing all road markings, and statutory guidance makes clear that yellow box junctions should only be used to manage traffic – not to raise revenue.'
