Does crossing the line at the end of a yellow light count as running a red light?
4 Answers
Crossing the line at the end of a yellow light does not count as running a red light. The traffic police department stated that according to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," vehicles that have already crossed the stop line when the yellow light is flashing at an intersection can continue to pass. However, if the vehicle continues to force its way through after the yellow light has already turned on, being caught in such a situation will still be considered as running a red light. Criteria for determining running a red light: Electronic monitoring devices capture three photos as the basis for determining a red light violation, which are the front wheels crossing the stop line, the rear wheels crossing the stop line, and the front wheels crossing the opposite stop line. Only when all three photos are present will it be recognized as running a red light. Penalty points for running a red light: According to Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2 of the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations," driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights results in a deduction of 6 points per violation. If the entire vehicle crosses the stop line but does not continue to move, this does not count as running a red light. However, this situation constitutes stopping beyond the line, and according to Article 4, Clause 5 of the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations," "failing to drive or stop as required at an intersection results in a deduction of 2 points per violation."
During my driving lessons at the driving school, the instructor repeatedly emphasized that if your vehicle has already crossed the intersection stop line when the yellow light comes on, it doesn't count as running a red light because the signal is yellow. However, if you start accelerating to cross the line just as the yellow light ends and the red light comes on before your vehicle has completely passed through, you will be captured by the camera as running a red light. Having driven a taxi for ten years, I've seen many similar disputes. The key is whether the dashcam or intersection camera can clearly determine the exact moment of crossing the line. I advise drivers not to rush when encountering a yellow light; slowing down and stopping is the safest option. Otherwise, a fine of 200 yuan and 6 penalty points are simply not worth it. Paying attention to traffic light changes and developing the habit of slowing down in advance can prevent 90% of accidents. After all, safety is more important than time.
I remember feeling quite conflicted the last time I was caught in a similar situation. The yellow light was about to end as I just crossed the line, but the traffic light monitoring system precisely recorded my car's position the moment the red light came on. From a professional perspective, this depends on local traffic regulation enforcement details: some cities like Shanghai are strict, considering it a violation if any part of your wheels haven't completely crossed the line when the red light turns on; Beijing is slightly more lenient. As an experienced driver, I'd advise you to stop rather than risk running through, as rushing through yellow lights often leads to rear-end collisions - with large vehicle momentum making braking difficult and safety factors low. In daily driving, always observe your surroundings carefully. Traffic lights are tools to protect everyone, so don't risk big consequences for small gains.
When I first got my driver's license, I was also worried about crossing the line during a yellow light. In fact, if your vehicle has already passed the stop line before the yellow light ends, it doesn't count as running a red light. It only counts if you enter after the red light turns on. I usually lightly press the brake to slow down and prepare to stop when the light turns yellow, rather than accelerating to rush through, to reduce risks. As a beginner, not knowing the rules often made me nervous. With more practice in anticipating traffic light cycles, such as the duration of red lights, you can handle it easily to ensure driving safety and avoid adding the pressure of fines.
