What is it written for?
Let's consider in what case, for what and where exactly, as well as under what conditions this fine can be issued!
What and where?
So, if a waffle marking 1.26 is applied to an intersection, then you cannot go to it if a traffic jam has formed behind the intersection along the route of the car. Here's the markup:
Also at such an intersection there may be a corresponding sign 1.35, warning approaching drivers that there are “waffle” lines on it. This is what the sign looks like:
That is, if you drove into an intersection and were forced to stop, you may be issued a fine? But not in all cases.
Under what conditions?
These cases are clearly indicated in the traffic rules. So, a fine for waffle markings, that is, an intersection strictly marked with markings 1.26 or sign 1.35, can only be issued under the following two conditions:
- You are moving straight and a traffic jam has also formed while moving in the forward direction; if you turn or turn around, then according to the law there cannot be a fine for this;
- By stopping at the waffle markings, you created interference with cars driving in the direction transverse to you.
If at least one of them is not met, no punishment should follow. This is the main subtlety of the fine for “waffle”. For example, if you still stopped at the markings because of a traffic jam, but did not interfere with anyone, then penalties under the Administrative Code cannot be applied to you.
This is exactly the interpretation prescribed by clause 13.2 of the traffic rules:
13.2. It is prohibited to drive to an intersection, the intersection of roadways or a section of an intersection marked by marking 1.26 if there is a traffic jam ahead along the route that will force the driver to stop, creating an obstacle to the movement of vehicles in the transverse direction, with the exception of turning right or left in the cases established by these Rules.
"Waffle" markings at intersections: everything you need to know
On April 28, that is, this Saturday, the clause in the Russian Traffic Rules on the introduction of so-called waffle markings at intersections comes into force. Briefly about what it is and what drivers need to take into account in the context of this innovation.
What is this “wafer” and where will it be used?
“Waffle marking” or “waffle iron” is marking 1.26, it is made in the form of a grid with diagonal lines and marked boundaries, the color is yellow.
Markup 1.26
The new markings will be used at intersections controlled by traffic lights, where traffic jams often occur.
The “waffle iron” function is a designation of an area into which it is prohibited to drive if there is a traffic jam ahead that will force the driver to stop, creating an obstacle to traffic in the transverse direction. “Waffle iron” does not prohibit turning right or left in cases established by traffic rules.
Marking 1.26 is used independently or in conjunction with road sign 1.35 “Intersection Section”. In turn, a sign without markings cannot be used.
Sign 1.35, not used without markings
“Waffle iron” can be applied not only at standard X-shaped intersections, but also at intersections with more complex intersections.
How to break the rules of the “waffle iron”?
Violation of markup rules 1.26 is easy to imagine. There is a traffic jam ahead along the route, you entered the “waffle iron” section, stopped, waiting for the cars to move further, but were unable to leave the yellow grid until the red light turned on. You created an obstacle for cars traveling in the transverse direction, which means you violated the marking rules.
In other words, a fine is applied if the vehicle entered the intersection area marked with marking 1.26 and was unable to leave it before the red light turned on. Recording of violations will mainly be carried out by a photo/video recording system operating in automatic mode. The traffic camera will “write out” a violation even if you were already at the end of the “waffle iron” at the time of the red traffic light and did not actually create any interference.
What is the punishment?
Violation of the waffle marking rules is interpreted under Art. 12.13 Code of Administrative Offences. Quote: “Driving to an intersection or crossing a roadway in the event of a traffic jam that has forced the driver to stop, creating an obstacle to the movement of vehicles in the transverse direction, entails the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of one thousand rubles.” That is, the fine is 1000 rubles.
Let us note that Art. 12.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses has existed for a long time, but it was practically not applied due to the difficulty of proving a violation. “Waffle irons” in combination with cameras will radically change the situation.
Everywhere at once?
The entry into force of the new traffic rules clause on April 28 does not mean that marking 1.26 will appear in all cities at once. Applying road markings in populated areas is the prerogative of municipal authorities, and administrations in different cities work at different speeds. Somewhere the “waffle” will appear earlier, and somewhere later. But spring is in full swing, which means work to update road markings is in full swing.
In Moscow, the “waffle iron” has been tested as an experiment since 2015. There is also experience of its use in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Kazan.
Why is this even necessary?
Drivers who drive into clogged intersections and thereby interfere with other motorists can be observed quite often. The “waffle iron” in combination with a traffic camera disciplines such hurry-ups, because rather than leaving at the end of the green signal at a busy intersection and getting a fine for it, it is better to wait half a minute and then continue on your way again.
Literature
“Waffle Iron” is introduced by Government Decree No. 1276 of October 20, 2021.
In the traffic regulations it can be found under number 1.26 in Appendix No. 2 to the traffic regulations “Road markings and its characteristics.”
The definition of road sign 1.35 “Intersection Section” is contained in the Traffic Regulations in the “Warning Signs” section.
Can I catch it on camera?
Yes. The corresponding government decree on the introduction of waffle markings also provides for a change in the interpretation of the corresponding plate 8.23. Thus, according to the change, it is allowed to install a combination of signs 1.35 and 8.23:
However, as of May 29, 2021, there are no automatic recording cameras yet that could accurately recognize a stop on a waffle marking when a traffic jam has formed ahead and, most importantly, the fact of creating an obstacle as a condition of a fine for violating this marking.
Is there a penalty for going to the waffle markings?
Of course, going to the waffle marking itself is not punishable, since it is located throughout the entire area of the intersection and is there all the time. Only those drivers who drive into an intersection with a congestion (and, therefore, stop at it) and interfere with the movement of other vehicles are subject to punishment.
Punishment for driving into an intersection with a traffic jam, if this action entailed the creation of obstacles to the movement of motorists in a transverse direction, was punishable even before the introduction of waffle markings. Since then, the article of the Administrative Code has not even been edited. It provides for only one type of punishment - a fine of 1000 rubles. (Article 12.13 of the Administrative Code).
Is there a discount?
Art. 32.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides a 50% discount on the payment of fines for violating certain traffic rules. Stopping at the waffle markings is also on this list. To receive a discount, you just need to pay the fine 20 days from the date of drawing up the protocol (from the day the violation was committed). During this time, the fine will be not 1000, but 500 rubles.
How to drive through an intersection without getting a fine?
There are a number of other subtleties with the newly introduced waffle markings. The point here, as usual, is the enforcement of legislation. The fact is that, as we already wrote above, cameras, in principle, are not able to determine whether you created an obstacle or not, not to mention the features of recording a stop and determining the maneuver.
Therefore, contrary to the official interpretation of the updated paragraph 13.2 of the traffic rules, the best solution at intersections with waffle markings is not to stop at all, so as not to get a fine from the camera.
Another nuance is that the traffic rules currently do not have a definition of the word “congestion”, and this is precisely the condition mentioned in paragraph 13.2 about the notorious waffle markings. What is considered as such, one car stopped after an intersection or a column of them, and how many cars should be in such a column as a criterion for congestion, the Rules do not say.
When is the fine for waffle marking applied?
A fine for waffle markings is imposed when the relevant traffic rules are violated:
- if the driver realizes that there is a traffic jam ahead,
- he drove onto the waffle yellow grid,
- but could not leave the markings in time,
- remained standing on the waffle iron when the traffic light turned red,
- caused the cars to be unable to move laterally.
Thus, for the described algorithm of incorrect actions on the road caused by violation of the rules for crossing markings, you will need to pay a fine.
Offenses will be recorded using road photos and video clips.
Moreover, even if, when the traffic light turned red, the car was already very close to the end of the waffle marking, and in fact did not create any problems with cross traffic, the camera will still consider this situation on the road a violation and issue a fine. And lastly: Articles 12 and 13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses determine the amount of the fine for waffle markings at 1 thousand rubles.
How does waffle marking work?
The bottom line is that you can’t stop at waffle markings. The driver should enter an intersection only with full confidence that he will be able to pass through it without stopping due to traffic congestion. This is stated in paragraph 13.2 of the Traffic Rules
, which is stated in the following wording:
It is prohibited to drive to an intersection, the intersection of roadways or a section of an intersection marked with markings 1.26
, if a traffic jam has formed ahead along the route, which will force the driver to stop, creating an obstacle to the movement of vehicles in the transverse direction, with the exception of turning right or to the left in cases established by these Rules.
Waffle markings perform two main functions:
- Increasing the vigilance of drivers when driving through intersections where there is a high probability of congestion.
- Allocation and limitation of space for cameras recording facts of vehicles stopping at an intersection.
Is there a fine for waffle markings?
In some cases, a fine is imposed for hitting waffle markings. Below we will find out exactly when a driver can be punished for such an offense and what the amount of the monetary penalty is.
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When was the fine introduced and how much is it?
The imposition of a fine for illegal entry into a “waffle” is regulated by part 1 of Article 12.13 of the Administrative Code, and the fine is 1,000 rubles. Please note that this article punishes not for the fact of entering the waffle marking itself, but for violating the rules for crossing intersections:
- Article 12.13 itself was introduced into the Code of Administrative Offenses in 2001, but in fact it was practically not applied due to the difficulty of recording such offenses by the traffic police.
- On April 28, 2021, amendments came into force, according to which the concept of waffle markings was introduced into the traffic rules. These amendments also required utility workers to mark intersections.
- In accordance with the law, regional authorities must soon install video recorders at all intersections with waffle markings to record violations. For example, in Moscow, the installation of cameras began on March 1, 2021.
What is the fine for?
A fine under Article 12.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses is issued directly for violating the rules for crossing an intersection when there is a traffic jam. The object of the offense in this case is the safety of other traffic participants who are moving in a perpendicular direction.
When does responsibility come?
Administrative liability for traffic violations occurs in two main situations:
- You approach an intersection and see that there is a traffic jam ahead - but you still try to cross the intersection in the forward direction.
- While driving in a forward direction along the waffle iron, you stopped, which created an obstacle for other road users who were moving in a perpendicular direction.
Please note that other methods of going to the “waffle” are not subject to punishment under Article 13.12 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. For example, if there is a traffic jam in the forward direction, you can enter a waffle marking to make a turn or U-turn in accordance with standard traffic rules - in such a situation, no penalty will be applied, since such maneuvers do not pose a threat to the safety of cars moving in a perpendicular direction.
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