Failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign.
Contravention code 32:
Failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign.
This contravention is now being enforced by local authorities. There are actually 4 suffixes to the contravention code as shown below.
Sample signs:
32d: proceeding in the wrong direction. This arrow can be pointing in any direction including straight ahead.
32p: Passing to the wrong side of the sign
32t: Turning in the wrong direction
32w: One way traffic
How to have your penalty charge notice (PCN) for this moving traffic offence cancelled.
Before checking the specific information relating to this offence you will need to check the following general information.
General advice for all moving traffic contraventions
What a penalty charge notice (PCN) must contain
Specific grounds of appeal for this contravention
Did the penalty charge notice that you received show the correct suffix. For example 32w relates to the sign showing the direction of traffic in a one way street. The signs above will confirm the correct suffix.
Were the signs sufficiently clear, illuminated and on both sides of the road? If not the contravention is unenforceable.
Were the signs correct? In one case Transport for London (TFL) have been using the straight ahead arrow signs when really they should have been using a no right turn sign because the turning on the left was one way towards the road anyway. The adjudicator said it was confusing because the purpose of the straight ahead arrows was only really to stop traffic turning right. And so no right turn would have been the appropriate signs to install. TFL issued a further 22,000 penalty charge notices at the junction before they removed the restriction.
Remember that in order to enforce this restriction the enforcing authority must show you actually passing the signs with white arrows on a blue background. If their video evidence does not show this then they cannot enforce the restriction.
We have evidence of some councils such as Camden and transport for London continuing to enforce restrictions such as these even though adjudicators have ruled that their signage is unclear.
Were there road markings, if so did they contain exactly the same restrictions as the signs.
If there are restrictions at certain times were times stated on the Penalty charge notice (PCN) actually the same as on the signs.
The PCN must also show a picture of the sign which is essential as the offence is “failing to comply with a sign” etc
Did you commit the contravention because you had no alternative. In one case a lorry blocked the road so the motorist had no alterative. The appeal was allowed.
