Hundreds of drivers get £70 fines after being caught out by 'double red lines'

Several hundred Brits have been caught out with fines in recent months over a stretch of road which has double red lines down it.

The Manchester Evening News reports that in December last year, Bury Council introduced double red lines on part of Walmersley Road in the local area. Since then, a grand total of 664 drivers have fallen foul of the road restrictions.

That's raised £16,845 in fines from this stretch of road as everyone who parks on the double red lines is automatically fined between £50 and £70.

There are cameras in place along the road to spot people breaking the rules, but with so many people being caught out, what exactly do double red lines mean?

Can't park there, mate (Getty Stock Photo)

If you've done your theory test then this ought to be knowledge you recognise, but in case you don't know, the lines painted down the side of the road are there to tell you whether or not you can stop.

Yellow lines show places where you can't park your car up and wait; if it's a single yellow then there ought to be a sign somewhere around the place which will tell you which hours the restrictions are in place.

Double yellows mean there's no waiting at any time, absolutely zero, zilch or nada.

On the other hand, you are allowed to stop on the yellow lines to load or unload your vehicle, or pull over to drop people off or pick them up.

Just think of red lines as a more strict version of the yellow lines.

Woe betide the poor soul who stops on a red line, as while the yellows allow you to stop to load, unload, pick up and drop off there's no such thing allowed on the red lines.

Don't you dare think about stopping here, sunshine (Getty Stock Photo)

So, if double yellow lines say you can't wait there at any time then the double reds ban drivers from stopping there altogether.

It's these hundreds of drivers who've been stopping that have racked up so many fines in just a matter of months.

Knowing what all of the lines and signs on the roads mean is your best way of avoiding falling foul of a fine, as there are some instructions which Brits just don't understand.

Or at least we don't seem to based on the verdicts of other motorists, some of which will leave you wondering how they ever managed to pass their theory test.

Brushing up on your highway code never hurts, and if you don't like all that studying, then just tell yourself it's for an obscure round in a pub quiz.