Several of the video camera cyclists in London have received a letter from RoadSafe London completely out of the blue. The letter is about reporting motorists who are in the ASL, and what evidence is required for them to take action. I suspect this is due to them receiving a large amount of reports regarding motorists in the advanced stop zones and them not being able to do anything about it. It’s wasting their time and wasting our own time in reporting it, if I reported every motorist I saw in the ASL whilst the light is red, then I would be reporting 40 motorists a day. I don’t want to do that!

Rule 178 of the Highway Code is cited in the letter, it is as follows (their highlight)

Advanced stop lines. Some signal-controlled junctions have advanced stop lines to allow cycles 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, e.g. if the junction ahead is blocked. If your vehicle has proceeded over the first white line at the time that the signal goes red, you MUST stop at the second white line, even if your vehicle is in the marked area. Allow cyclists time and space to move off when the green signal shows.

Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10, 36(1) & 43(2)

It’s also highlighted that for cyclists to legally gain access to the ASL, it must only be done so by the broken entrance to it, usually part of a cycle lane. I suspect if you entered it illegally and so did a motorist, it would only be fair if you both received the same punishment, however this is not mentioned.

What is required?

They have asked for video footage which clearly shows them driving over the first stop line whilst the light is red. Cycling up to the junction and just seeing them in it is not enough as they could legally have stopped there whilst the light was green to avoid blocking the junction and then the lights have changed whilst they are there.

Personally, I don’t report drivers who I seen encroaching the ASL. It does annoy me but I don’t see it as a massive danger. There are situations where I might reconsider that stance, if the driver is being aggressive or is posing a danger to other road users.

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