Does Crossing the Front Wheels Over the Line 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 is red, and the vehicle stops immediately without moving, it will not be considered as 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 6 demerit points 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 3 demerit points 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; the entire body of the vehicle crossing the stop line. Article 38 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China 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 and 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 and pedestrians. At intersections where non-motor vehicle signal lights and pedestrian crossing signal lights are not installed, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the indications of the motor vehicle signal lights. The new traffic regulations clearly stipulate that the following three necessary conditions must be met to constitute a red-light violation: The vehicle illegally crosses the stop line. The vehicle illegally enters the intersection. The vehicle illegally crosses the opposite stop line. To determine a red-light violation, only three photos are required: A photo showing the front wheels of the vehicle not crossing the stop line when the red light is on, a photo of the vehicle passing through the middle of the road, 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 is on, thereby confirming the red-light violation. Drivers should pay attention to the following three situations: If the front wheels of the vehicle cross the stop line or both the front and rear wheels cross the stop line but the rear of the vehicle has not crossed the stop line, and the vehicle stops immediately, the traffic police will not penalize it as running a red light, but may penalize it for over-the-line parking. If the front wheels of the vehicle cross the stop line, regardless of whether the entire body has fully crossed the stop line, and the vehicle stops and then reverses back, if the electronic eye captures two complete movement images, it will be treated as running a red light, resulting in 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If the entire body of the vehicle fully crosses the stop line and stops or continues to move forward, and within one red-light cycle, the electronic eye captures three complete images constituting a red-light violation, regardless of whether the vehicle has entered the intersection or crossed the opposite stop line, it will be treated as a red-light violation and penalized accordingly.
After driving for so many years, I believe whether crossing the stop line with the front wheels counts as running a red light depends on the specific situation. Traffic regulations stipulate that only when the entire vehicle crosses the stop line while the red light is on does it constitute running a red light. If only the front wheels cross the line but you stop immediately, it usually doesn't count as a violation because the camera system needs to capture three consecutive photos proving your movement to issue a fine. But don't take it lightly—city cameras are very sensitive, and a slight lapse in attention might get you caught. Once, while driving at night and distracted, my front wheels had just crossed the line when the light turned red. I stopped and didn't move, luckily avoiding a ticket. The rules are designed for safety, preventing accidents at intersections. A 6-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine are no small matters, and they can also affect insurance costs and driving records. So, it's advisable to check traffic signals early while driving, slow down when the yellow light appears, and prepare to stop—developing good habits saves trouble. If you accidentally cross the line, don't panic; stay put and wait for the green light instead of continuing through. Traffic safety is a big deal—a small oversight can lead to serious consequences. Staying focused while driving can help avoid such situations.
