Can you pass if the light turns red after crossing the stop line?
3 Answers
You cannot pass if the light turns red after crossing the stop line. The following is an introduction for beginners: Skills and mentality: Skills require practice—find a less crowded place to practice more. Mentality involves transitioning from the mindset of the third driving test to actual road driving. Driving during the third test and driving after obtaining the license are two different things. During the third test, you drive a training car; other vehicles will actively give way when they see a training car, and fellow trainees will maintain a safe distance because they know the car might stop at any time. Displaying a novice sign: However, when driving a private car after obtaining the license, other drivers won’t be as courteous. At this point, you need to display a novice sign in the appropriate position on the car to let others know you are a beginner, which is safer.
As someone who frequently drives in the city, I often encounter this situation. If your vehicle has already crossed the stop line when the light turns yellow, it's reasonable to continue through after the light turns red—this doesn't count as running a red light. However, if you cross the line after the light has turned red, that's a violation and could result in a ticket from traffic cameras. I've personally experienced this—once, I accelerated through an intersection on a yellow light and safely exited after it turned red without getting fined. That said, this isn't recommended behavior—many intersection accidents are caused by hesitation or sudden acceleration. My advice is to slow down when approaching an intersection, observe signal changes, and develop good driving habits to mitigate risks. For example, maintaining a safe following distance and anticipating light transitions can prevent many unnecessary issues. If you accidentally cross the line, avoid slamming on the brakes—instead, exit smoothly to prevent secondary accidents.
From the perspective of traffic regulations, crossing the stop line after a red light turns on constitutes running a red light, which will result in penalty points and fines. However, if you enter the intersection during the yellow light and exit after it turns red, it generally does not count as a violation. I often remind myself to follow this rule because traffic cameras determine violations based on the vehicle's position at the moment the light turns red. Many novice drivers make mistakes by misunderstanding the meaning of the yellow light—it is a warning signal, not an acceleration cue. Relatedly, this rule aims to reduce intersection collisions, such as those most likely to occur during left turns when encountering a red light. Everyone should slow down in advance when approaching an intersection, observe the traffic lights, and cultivate a patient driving attitude. If you unintentionally violate the rules, promptly contact the traffic authorities to handle the ticket and reflect on improving your skills, such as practicing simulated nighttime intersection scenarios to enhance reaction speed.
