Does Crossing the Front Wheels Over the Line but Not the Rear Wheels Count as Running a Red Light?
2 Answers
No. If the front wheels of the vehicle have just crossed the stop line when the light turns red and the vehicle stops immediately without moving, it will not be considered running a red light. However, if the vehicle continues to proceed in violation of the rules, it will be deemed as running a red light. According to Article 90 of the new traffic regulations: driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights will result in a 6-point deduction and a fine of 200 yuan. If the vehicle completes crossing the line and continues to move until it fully crosses the line before stopping, thereby affecting the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians, it will be penalized under Article 3, Section 7 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: violating prohibition signs will result in a 3-point deduction and a fine of 100 yuan. Crossing the stop line can be divided into two scenarios: the front wheels of the vehicle crossing the stop line, or the entire vehicle crossing the stop line. The Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, Article 38, states: motor vehicle signal lights and non-motor vehicle signal lights indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted 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 may continue to proceed. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed provided they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. At intersections without non-motor vehicle signal lights or pedestrian crossing signal lights, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the indications of the motor vehicle signal lights. The new traffic regulations clearly define three necessary conditions for a vehicle to be considered running a red light: The vehicle illegally crosses the stop line. The vehicle illegally enters the intersection. The vehicle illegally crosses the opposite stop line. Running a red light can be determined with just three photos: A photo showing the front wheels of the vehicle not crossing the stop line when the red light turns on, a photo of the vehicle passing through the middle of the intersection, and a photo of the vehicle reaching the opposite road. These three clear photos can prove the vehicle's movement trajectory after the red light turns on, thereby confirming the act of running a red light. While driving, pay attention to the following three situations: If the front wheels of the vehicle cross the stop line, or if both the front and rear wheels cross the stop line but the rear of the vehicle has not fully crossed the stop line, and the vehicle stops immediately, traffic police will not penalize it as running a red light. However, they may penalize it for crossing the stop line. If the front wheels of the vehicle cross the stop line, regardless of whether the entire vehicle has fully crossed the stop line, and the vehicle stops and then reverses back, being captured by electronic surveillance with two complete movement images, it will be treated as running a red light, resulting in a 6-point deduction and a fine of 200 yuan. If the entire vehicle fully crosses the stop line and stops or continues to move forward, and within one red light cycle, electronic surveillance captures three complete images constituting the three necessary conditions for running a red light, regardless of whether the vehicle reaches the intersection or crosses the opposite stop line, it will be treated as running a red light and penalized accordingly.
A seasoned driver here to talk about this. With 20 years of driving experience, I can tell you this situation is quite common. The rule goes like this: if your front wheels cross the line but the rear wheels don't when the light turns red, it's not considered running a red light. The traffic camera's judgment hinges on the rear wheels' position—if they don't cross, you usually won't get snapped. Once at an intersection, I had to brake hard, my front wheels crossed the line but I held steady immediately, and later checked—no ticket. Still, be cautious; stopping on the line might block others or risk a rear-end collision, adding unnecessary danger. The best practice is to slow down and stop safely at yellow lights—don't challenge traffic signals. Safety first—keep a clear head on the road to avoid small mistakes leading to big troubles. Cultivating the habit of anticipating early ensures smoother, worry-free driving in the long run.
