Stop lines and advanced stop lines (ASL's)
Contravention code (No contravention code yet issued):
Failing to stop at a stop line.
All vehicles must stop at any stop line when a red signal is showing or, if they can safely stop, an amber one. If an ASL is provided all vehicles must stop at the second stop line if they have already passed the first when the signal changes to red.
You must not move across a stop line or ASL until the lights have turned to green.
ASL’s have been introduced as part of the traffic signs regulations and general directions 2002.
We suspect that local authorities and the police will be carrying out more enforcement of these soon (if they are not already doing so)
ASL’s can only be used at traffic lights. A second stop line is set back from the first to allow cycles to enter the reservoir between the 2 stop lines. They must always have an approach cycle lane. Sometimes the area between the 2 stop lines is painted green and whilst it must always have a legend of a bicycle it does not have to be painted green.
How to have your penalty charge notice (PCN) for this moving traffic contravention 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
December 2008 – We are not aware that enforcement of this contravention has started. Please let us know if you receive a PCN for this contravention.
If you have received a PCN for this contravention then you have several options. Either accept that you were at fault and committed an offence and pay at the discounted rate within 14 days, make informal representations to the enforcing authority within 14 days or wait for the “notice to owner” to arrive after 28 days (by which time you will loose your right to pay at the discounted rate.) and make formal representations or pay at the full rate. Please note that most local authorities will accept informal representations within 14 days and preserve the 14 day discount for a further 14 days if they do not accept your informal representations even though it may not say so on the penalty charge notice. If in doubt then contact the enforcing authority .
1.) We believe that ASL’s could be difficult to enforce because the enforcing authority would have to provide evidence that you could have safely stopped at the ASL. (unless you passed the ASL when the lights were red) You can pass an ASL before the light turns to red but you would need to stop at the second stop line if the lights turned to red after you crossed the first line. Especially in slow moving traffic it could be quite easy to pass the first line before the lights turn to red. The same applies to the second stop line because you could quite easily pass this when the lights are green but have to stop before the junction when the lights turn red.
2.) If the penalty charge notice has been sent to you via post because for example the alleged offence was captured by a traffic enforcement camera was it received by you within 28 days. If not it is unenforceable.
3.) The distance between the 2 stop lines must be between 4 and 5 metres and there must be a gap in the ASL (usually at the left) to allow cyclists to enter the reservoir. The width of the white lines must be at least 20cm in order to comply with the regulations.
4.) Enforcing authorities will have a protocol stating their policy on enforcement of different offences. For example how far over the ASL must a vehicle be before a PCN is issued Some local authorities such as Westminster council in London publish their protocol on the internet. Others may provide a copy on request. We do not know whether a request for a copy under the freedom of information act would succeed but we believe a local authority should be open and in any event how would you know whether the enforcement officer acted within their remit without sight of this. We would suggest that you check the website of the enforcing authority and if their protocol is not published request a copy.
5.) You are entitled to view video evidence of the offence at the offices of the authority that has issued the PCN to you. We understand that there may be plans in the pipeline for videos to be dispatched by email in the future.
Adjudicators Decisions for stop lines and advanced stop lines.
