Can I proceed if the light turns red after crossing the stop line?
3 Answers
Vehicles that have already crossed the stop line when the red light turns on can continue to proceed, because the red light is preceded by a yellow light, and vehicles that have passed the stop line during the yellow light can continue to move. If the red light turns on before a vehicle crosses the stop line, it is prohibited to proceed. According to Article 38 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' regarding motor vehicle and non-motor vehicle signal lights: When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line can continue to proceed. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. At intersections without non-motor vehicle or pedestrian crossing signal lights, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signal lights. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles can proceed provided they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Article 44 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' states that on roads with two or more motor vehicle lanes in the same direction, the left lane is the fast lane and the right lane is the slow lane. Motor vehicles in the fast lane should travel at the speed designated for that lane. Vehicles that cannot reach the designated speed should use the slow lane.
I've been driving for many years and encountered this situation dozens of times. The key is whether the light was green when you crossed the stop line. If you entered on a green light and it suddenly turned red, don't panic and stop abruptly. The correct approach is to continue through safely because you're already in the intersection - stopping in the middle is actually more dangerous as it may cause rear-end collisions or block other traffic. Traffic rules allow you to complete your passage in this situation, and it doesn't count as running a red light. The traffic cameras mainly capture the light color at the moment you cross the stop line, so don't worry about fines. For safety, I always make sure there are no pedestrians crossing or turning vehicles before proceeding. Once during rainy weather, I handled it this way and avoided a minor accident - I advise new drivers to do the same for safer outcomes. Developing a habit of observing light patterns is good practice to avoid misjudgment. In daily driving, I slow down when seeing yellow lights to assess whether to proceed, never risking rushing through.
This is something I found quite interesting while studying traffic rules. The standard regulations are clear: running a red light is defined as crossing the stop line after the light has turned red. If you've already passed the stop line while the light is green and it then turns red, you should proceed normally without stopping. Stopping in the middle of the intersection not only violates regulations but may also be treated as obstructing traffic. Camera systems typically only capture the moment of crossing the line under a red light, so those who pass before the red are fine. However, be cautious—if you're still outside the line when the yellow turns to red, don't force your way through, as it can easily lead to disputes. From analyzing forum discussions, the general consensus is safety first, checking afterward if the camera might have misrecorded. In practice, intersection designs also encourage quick clearance to avoid congestion. Remember to obey speed limits and avoid hesitation or acceleration at intersections to prevent trouble. I follow this rule during my commute—it saves time and hassle.
