Does crossing the line when the yellow light just turns on count as running a red light?
3 Answers
According to Article 38 of the Implementation Regulations 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 at an intersection is flashing may continue to pass. If the yellow light has already turned on and you continue to force your way through, being caught on camera in such a situation will also count as running a red light. According to the relevant provisions in Article 10 of the Procedures for the Handling of Road Traffic Safety Violations, motor vehicle drivers who violate traffic signal lights at intersections will be penalized with 6 demerit points. Additionally, according to the relevant provisions in Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, a fine may also be imposed. Criteria for determining running a red light: Electronic eyes will capture 3 photos as evidence for running a red light: 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 3 photos are present will it be considered running a red light. According to Article 11 of the Procedures for the Handling of Road Traffic Safety Violations, if you cross the stop line when the red light is on but manage to stop the vehicle even if you have already crossed the line, it will not be considered running a red light. However, it will be considered stopping beyond the line, which, according to traffic laws, is driving or stopping at an intersection not in accordance with regulations, resulting in a 2-point penalty. How to avoid running a red light while driving: When there are arrow signal lights, follow the arrow lights; otherwise, follow the circular lights; When the red light is on, the front of the vehicle must not cross the stop line; When the yellow light is on, the front of the vehicle must not cross the stop line; When the green light just starts flashing, if you are close and moving fast, you should proceed, as you might not be able to stop in time and cross the stop line; if you are far away, moving slowly, or the intersection is congested, you should stop; When driving in the city, develop the habit of looking for traffic lights whenever you see a crosswalk or stop line and approach an intersection.
I've been driving for over a decade and believe that crossing the line when the yellow light just turns on doesn't count as running a red light. According to traffic regulations, the yellow light is a warning signal, intended to let drivers decide whether to stop or continue. If you've already crossed the stop line the moment the yellow light comes on, theoretically, you can safely pass without violating the rules. However, in practice, traffic light systems have electronic eyes that usually start taking photos only after the red light turns on. If you just crossed the line and weren't caught on camera, you're fine; but if your timing is off, the camera might mistakenly judge that you ran the red light. I often encounter yellow lights in the city, and now I've developed a habit: as soon as I see a yellow light, I slow down and assess the distance. If I'm very close to the stop line, I can slowly drive through; if I'm far away, I definitely stop and wait. This not only avoids traffic fines but also reduces the risk of rear-end collisions. The key to safe driving is not to be greedy for speed, as even a small mistake could lead to an accident. Usually, when driving, pay more attention to changes in traffic signals, and over time, you'll naturally be able to judge clearly.
As a novice driver, I was particularly nervous about traffic lights when I first started driving. If the yellow light came on just as I crossed the line, does that count as running a red light? My driving instructor said that technically it doesn't count, because the yellow light is just a warning that it's about to turn red. But in practice, it depends on the specific situation: if the vehicle has just crossed the line, the system usually doesn't consider it a violation; however, electronic eyes are very sensitive and sometimes capture the moment you cross the line. I remember my first time on the road, I hesitated at a yellow light and almost stopped in the middle of the intersection, with cars behind me honking. Later, I asked my friends for advice, and they shared that it's best to develop a habit of not accelerating through a yellow light—check your speed first, proceed if it's safe, otherwise stop. During the novice period, it's important to practice more, drive through intersections in the city a few times to get familiar with such scenarios. The key is not to let your heartbeat affect your judgment; safety is always more important than saving a few seconds.
