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Hi all,

Summary: I entered the box junction to avoid obstructing an oncoming emergency vechicle.

Video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12BNvPzopbiDVuZ5ChtTuKjLKaDS20Inx/view?usp=sharing



I've appealed Redbridge council, but it's been rejected:

This was my appeal:

I had only entered the yellow box junction due to an approaching emergency vehicle which can be seen in the video (attached).

1. As can be seen from the video, I slowed down with the intent to stop before the box junction, indicating compliance with the rules initially.

2. However, as I had just overtaken a bus that was at a stop, part of my vehicle was still in the opposite lane.

3. I saw an emergency vehicle with sirens on, approaching from the opposite direction.

4. I felt it was unsafe for me to stop before the yellow box junction while part of my vehicle was in the opposite lane and potentially obstructing the emergency vehicle.

5. I made a judgment call to enter the yellow box junction to avoid blocking the emergency vehicle, prioritising its passage.

The Highway Code (Rule 219) advises drivers to take appropriate action to let emergency vehicles pass safely, which may include moving into a yellow box junction if it ensures the emergency vehicle is not obstructed.

Emergency Vehicle Exemption: I acted to facilitate the passage of an emergency vehicle, which is a mitigating circumstance. The video evidence showing the emergency vehicle with sirens and my vehicle's position relative to the bus and the opposite lane supports this.

Safety Consideration: Stopping partially in the opposite lane could have posed a greater safety risk, both to the emergency vehicle and other road users, justifying my decision to proceed into the box junction.

----------------------------------

Redbridge have rejected my appeal but it's quite evident from their response that they had not read it properly and have made a couple of false statements.

Redbridge Council stated that 'an approaching emergency vehicle travelling in the opposite direction as your reason for being unable to exit the junction.  This false - I did not provide this as a reason. 

The reason I provided was that I entered the box as to not obstuct the emergency vehicle.

Redbridge Council also state that 'the positioning of your vehicle would not have obstructed the passage of the emergency vehicle'.  Redbridge Council then provide a still image of my vehicle after I had entered the box junction.

This is also false - the reason I had provided in my appeal was that my vehicle would have caused an obstruction to the emergency vehicle before I had entered the box junction.

The laws around box junctions seem very draconian and I'm wondering if it's worth appealing with ETA?

Thanks for reading.

M

Thanks for the response

This is the original PCN: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XVzBLVFJMSCI9ITRYzc1zbW2mgNK71HI/view?usp=sharing


This was my appeal:


I had only entered the yellow box junction due to an approaching emergency vehicle which can be seen in the video (attached).

1. As can be seen from the video, I slowed down with the intent to stop before the box junction, indicating compliance with the rules initially.

2. However, as I had just overtaken a bus that was at a stop, part of my vehicle was still in the opposite lane.

3. I saw an emergency vehicle with sirens on, approaching from the opposite direction.

4. I felt it was unsafe for me to stop before the yellow box junction while part of my vehicle was in the opposite lane and potentially obstructing the emergency vehicle.

5. I made a judgment call to enter the yellow box junction to avoid blocking the emergency vehicle, prioritising its passage.

The Highway Code (Rule 219) advises drivers to take appropriate action to let emergency vehicles pass safely, which may include moving into a yellow box junction if it ensures the emergency vehicle is not obstructed.

Emergency Vehicle Exemption: I acted to facilitate the passage of an emergency vehicle, which is a mitigating circumstance. The video evidence showing the emergency vehicle with sirens and my vehicle's position relative to the bus and the opposite lane supports this.

Safety Consideration: Stopping partially in the opposite lane could have posed a greater safety risk, both to the emergency vehicle and other road users, justifying my decision to proceed into the box junction.


This is the notice of rejection:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xf4Y07JR3fBvu5flS2mcWKfSBWjcV8Sm/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XcVc7yDkbCPERTb8Ur3S_9PO9kQbggqC/view?usp=sharing

Thank you.

I'm currently overseas on holiday so maybe it's the WiFi at the beach but I can't read any of those documents, they are too blurred.

Can you double check and repost if necessary?

Thank you.

I'm currently overseas on holiday so maybe it's the WiFi at the beach but I can't read any of those documents, they are too blurred.

Can you double check and repost if necessary?

holiday? how dare you? 

uploaded now.

Please see 2 of this:

https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/fake-pcn-recording-or-croydon-council-mistake-!/msg85368/#msg85368

Thanks.

Trying to get my head around that.

Do I make that challenge with the ETA? and does it work?

Battery on 1%. I'll be back later...

Mr Chips has gone on holiday to recharge his batteries.

ETA ?