Does crossing the stop line when the light turns red count as running a red light?
2 Answers
If you stop at the crosswalk and do not proceed further, it is not considered running a red light but rather crossing the stop line. According to Article 4, Section 5 of the 'Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations': Driving or stopping at an intersection in violation of regulations will result in a deduction of 2 points. Running a red light refers to the act where the vehicle, while still behind the stop line, proceeds forward despite the traffic light being red, and both the front and rear wheels of the vehicle cross the stop line. For electronic monitoring of red-light running, three photos are required: The vehicle is behind the stop line when the traffic light is red. The vehicle continues to move forward under the red light, with both front and rear wheels crossing the stop line. The vehicle proceeds into the intersection: indicating whether the vehicle forcibly passed through the intersection under the red light. According to Article 26 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law': Traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light prohibits passage, a green light permits passage, and a yellow light serves as a warning. On October 8, 2012, the Ministry of Public Security revised and issued the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses,' increasing the penalty for violating traffic signal lights from 3 points to 6 points. Running a yellow light will be treated as running a red light, resulting in a 6-point deduction and a fine. Failing to yield to a 120 emergency vehicle will result in a 3-point deduction. Intentionally following a 120 emergency vehicle through a red light will result in a 6-point deduction and a fine. Running a red light is not considered illegal under the following circumstances: Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to ambulances, fire trucks, and other special vehicles. If caught by surveillance cameras while yielding to special vehicles, manual review will not record the act as running a red light. Even if recorded, you can apply for reconsideration with the traffic police department. Extreme weather: When visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. The photos taken as evidence of the violation may be blurry, and if you mistakenly run a red light, the traffic police will not impose a penalty. Emergency situations: If a citizen transports a critically ill patient, they can provide hospital documentation or proof from the person assisted to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation record can be expunged. If possible, it is best to call an ambulance to avoid running a red light and causing a traffic accident. Police direction: During peak commuting hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at major intersections. Drivers must follow the hand signals of the traffic police.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and this situation is quite common. For example, rushing through a yellow light at a busy intersection, and the car just crosses the pedestrian crossing when the light turns red—this doesn't count as running a red light. The key definition of running a red light is when the front wheels of the vehicle haven't crossed the stop line by the time the light turns red. The pedestrian crossing and the stop line are often together, but crossing the pedestrian crossing means you've already entered the intersection. I've personally experienced being caught on camera multiple times without any violation records. However, it's important to note that the transition from yellow to red is very quick, and misjudging it can easily lead to actually running a red light, which results in a 200-yuan fine and 6 penalty points, and may even cause an accident—hardly worth the risk. So, in my daily driving, I observe the pattern of traffic light changes and slow down to stop when encountering a yellow light. Putting safety first is always the right choice.
