Motorists are being warned they could face a £100 fine and three penalty points this week for breaching a Highway Code rule many drivers are unaware even exists, as UK Bike Week gets underway and more cyclists take to the roads in the warmer weather.
The warning centres on advanced stop lines, commonly known as bike boxes, found at many signal-controlled junctions across the country. These marked areas allow cyclists to position themselves ahead of other traffic while waiting at red lights. According to the Highway Code: “Some signal-controlled junctions have advanced stop lines to allow cyclists to be positioned ahead of other traffic. Motorists, including motorcyclists, MUST stop at the first white line reached if the lights are amber or red and should avoid blocking the way or encroaching on the marked area at other times.”
The rules also set out what drivers should do if they have already crossed the first white line by the time the lights change. In that situation, vehicles should stop at the second white line instead, while ensuring cyclists are given enough time and space to move off safely once the lights turn green. Additional guidance applies to larger vehicles such as lorries and buses, which are advised to stop far enough back from the first white line to clearly see any cyclists waiting in the box ahead, taking into account blind spots at the front of the vehicle.
The warning follows new research from car insurance comparison company MoneySuperMarket, which found that more than half of drivers rarely keep up with changes to the Highway Code. Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said many motorists could be unknowingly breaking the law at busy junctions. “Drivers who stop inside a bike box at a red light could face three penalty points and a £100 fine, and many may not even realise they’re breaking the rules,” she said.
Hempsted urged drivers to approach traffic lights more cautiously and reduce their speed in good time, giving themselves a better chance to react and stop in the correct position. She noted that doing so not only helps protect cyclists and other road users, but can also help drivers avoid fines that could otherwise push up their insurance costs.
