Does crossing the stop line with the front wheels but not the rear wheels during a yellow light count as running a red light?
4 Answers
No. If only the front wheels cross the stop line, it does not count as running a red light. According to the new regulations on running red lights in the "Measures for the Scoring Management of Road Traffic Safety Violations": A vehicle is considered to have run a red light only if it crosses the stop line, enters the intersection, and continues through the intersection. Violating this rule and continuing to proceed counts as running a red light, resulting in a 6-point deduction. If the vehicle completes crossing the line and stops only after fully passing the stop line, thereby affecting the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians, it will be penalized for stopping beyond the line, usually resulting in a 3-point deduction and a fine. The "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," Article 38, states the following for motor vehicle and non-motor vehicle signal lights: 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 if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. At intersections without non-motor vehicle or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signal lights. The new traffic regulations clearly define the following 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. Electronic police (traffic cameras) capture three complete video images to determine if a vehicle has run a red light: an image of the vehicle at the moment of violation, a license plate recognition image, and a panoramic image. According to the "Measures for the Scoring Management of Road Traffic Safety Violations," there are three scenarios regarding whether a vehicle is considered to have run a red light: Article 11: If the vehicle's front wheels cross the stop line or both 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, the driver may be penalized for improper parking, resulting in a 3-point deduction. Article 10: If the vehicle's front wheels cross the stop line, regardless of whether the entire vehicle has fully crossed the stop line, and the vehicle stops and then reverses, being captured by traffic cameras in two complete moving images, it will be treated as running a red light, resulting in a 6-point deduction and a fine.
If your front wheels have crossed the line during a yellow light while the rear wheels haven't, it generally doesn't count as running a red light. According to the rules, running a red light is only considered a violation when the entire vehicle completely crosses the stop line after the light has turned red. If your front wheels have already crossed the line when the light turns yellow, it means you initiated your entry into the intersection before the signal changed. In this case, even if the rear wheels haven't crossed when it turns red, it's typically not punishable. But as a veteran driver with thirty years of experience, I must remind you that a yellow light is essentially a warning signal—it's telling you to assess whether you can safely proceed. If you can stop safely, it's always better to do so rather than rushing through. Once in my younger days, I tried to beat a yellow light and nearly hit a pedestrian—since then, I'd rather wait a few extra seconds. Bottom line: safe driving should always come first. Check your local traffic regulations for specifics, as enforcement logic for traffic cameras may vary slightly between cities.
I just started learning to drive a few months ago and recently got my driver's license. My instructor mentioned this rule during lessons: if the front wheels have crossed the line but the rear wheels haven't when the light turns yellow, it doesn't count as running a red light. The reason is that at the moment the light turns red, the vehicle hasn't completely passed the stop line, so it won't be recorded as a violation. However, new drivers often panic when they see a yellow light, either accelerating suddenly or braking hard, both of which are dangerous. Before my test, I practiced judging yellow lights repeatedly—it's best to slow down and stop when there's enough distance, rather than making a last-second decision at the line. Develop the habit of observing signals in advance while driving, and use navigation apps to assist with timing light changes. New drivers shouldn't rush; with time, they'll naturally get the rhythm.
As a father of two, seeing vehicles rush through yellow lights always makes me anxious. The scenario mentioned in the question, where the front wheels cross the line but the rear wheels don't, is legally not considered running a red light. However, I want to emphasize: don't exploit loopholes by forcing your way through yellow lights—safety comes first. When my children are in the car, I teach them that a yellow light is a precursor to red, signaling to slow down and stop promptly. There are too many news reports of accidents caused by rushing through yellow lights, with innocent victims suffering the consequences. Remember, following the rules protects lives—don't let minor technicalities become excuses for taking risks.
