UK drivers have been issued a warning after new figures, obtained by the RAC, revealed that nearly 拢1 million in fines were accumulated through 36 yellow box junctions last year. The statistics, which were gathered through Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to local councils, showed a total of 32,748 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were enforced by yellow boxes located outside London and Cardiff in the past 12 months – with drivers paying 拢998,640. Both capital cities were the only parts of the UK where drivers could be fined for yellow box offences until the Government introduced new legislation in May 2022, enabling all councils across England to apply for enforcement powers. Yellow boxes are used in an attempt to ensure traffic flows smoothly through busy junctions. Motorists should not enter them unless their exit is clear or they are waiting to turn right. PCNs are generally 拢70, reduced to 拢35 if paid within 21 days. The RAC analysis found Manchester City Council issued the most PCNs, with 13,130 in relation to six junctions. This brought in 拢446,706 – almost half of all yellow box-related revenue outside London and Cardiff. Manchester was followed by Kent’s Medway Council, which amassed 拢145,162 after handing out 4,433 PCNs generated by five yellow boxes. The single junction that generated the largest revenue was at Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, Surrey, which cost drivers 拢81,445 as 4,250 PCNs were issued. At the other end of the scale, Gloucestershire County Council issued just 30 yellow box PCNs, raising 拢945, while Leeds City Council handed out 50 fines, resulting in 拢605 being paid. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said a yellow box which generates a small number of fines indicates it is “working as it should”. That must be the ambition for councils rather than using them as a “revenue-raising opportunity”, he added. Mr Dennis explained: “Very few people set out to deliberately flout the rules and get fined. “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,” he added. “It’s vital box junctions are used in the correct places and are only as big as absolutely necessary. “They must be fairly set up so that drivers don’t find themselves stranded through no fault of their own.”