no u-turn fine from Camden council

[puggit]

All, a colleague at work has received a fine from Camden Council for performing a u-turn.

From the pictures I can judge that he committed the u-turn AFTER the junction which is signposted as no U-turn. So he is driving along a road, there is a crossroads, with an island on each side of the junction (pedestrian shelter). After the junction, and after the second island, in what can only be described as in the middle of a stretch of road between junctions, he has u-turned and been caught by CCTV.

He has crossed a hatched area, bordered by broken lines.

Any comments welcome on the validity of this fine? Can you apply a stretch of road with broken lines as a no u-turn area?

I am aware that CCTV evidence is applicable in London, I am aware that crossing broken lines bordering a hatched area is not illegal.

Ta

[Peter Ward]

the way you describe it, he u-turned across a road. Broken lines around hatchings do not prevent it. If it was clear and safe I can't see what the offence would be. But hey, I'm only a "motorist" -- what would I know compared to a CCTV operator?

[tigger1]

There's a lot of roads that are (for a signed length) "no u-turn". Is this road one of them? i.e. were there any other signs than the one at the junction itself?

[puggit]

tigger1 said:

There's a lot of roads that are (for a signed length) "no u-turn". Is this road one of them? i.e. were there any other signs than the one at the junction itself?

He doesn't recall seeing any no u-turn signs, so not really worth asking him

Your point may help, I wasn't aware a road could be no u-turn without using solid white lines

[tvrgit]

The only sign that prohibits U-turns is a sign that specifically prohibits U-turns. Now I know that might sound bleeding obvious but white lines on the road don't prohibit U-turns (although if you crossed a solid white line to make a U-turn, you would then be breaking the law).

A "no u-turn" sign applies to that junction only, unless it has a plate underneath that says "for 800 yards" or some specified distance.

The sign must also be accompanied by a Traffic Regulation Order that specifically prohibits U-turns at that junction or over that exact length of road, else the sign is not enforceable - you don't break the law by ignoring the sign, you break the law by ignoring the TRO (of which the sign is your only... well... sign I suppose).

Most councils are on the ball with TRO and signing. Some aren't. Worth checking.

[puggit]

Seems that Camden weren't on the ball with the signing on this stretch:

www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/012005/n012005_01.htm (article dated 2005)

He's going up to London tonight with a camera - his girlfriend also u-turned there a few days later!!!

[cj_eds]

Refuse the fine on the basis that its anti-green, and that if you hadn't u-turned you'd have had to proceed to the next junction, and turn left, followed by another left, followed by another left, finishing off with a right turn. That extra set of maneouvers would have harvested at least 3 or 4 children and an unmeasureable amount melting icecap.

[eliminator]

Don't forget the poor penguins!

[lostusernamedamn]

This Big Brother thing is great isn't it? What a great life, knowing that some sad otherwise unemployable saddo is sitting in a fart-filled office somewhere watching your every move.

[ashes]

lostusernamedamn -

Edited by ashes on Tuesday 22 May 14:39