Does driving through a yellow light count as running a red light?
3 Answers
Driving through a yellow light is also considered running a red light, as both running a yellow light and running a red light fall under the same traffic violation—driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal regulations. According to Article 10 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," this offense is punishable by a fine and a deduction of 6 points from the driver's license. The "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," Article 26, stipulates: Traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to proceed, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 26 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" further states: A yellow light serves as a warning, and motor vehicles should slow down when approaching an intersection. If the vehicle has already crossed the stop line when the yellow light turns on, it may continue through the intersection. If the vehicle has not yet crossed the stop line, it must stop. Article 38 of the "Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" specifies the meanings of motor vehicle and non-motor vehicle traffic signals: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of through 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. At intersections without non-motor vehicle or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle traffic signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed if they do not obstruct the passage of through vehicles or pedestrians. Electronic traffic enforcement cameras capture red-light violations based on the following three images, which are reviewed by traffic police to determine whether a violation occurred: An image of the vehicle not having passed the stop line when the red light is on. An image of the vehicle's front wheels crossing the stop line. An image of the vehicle's entire body having crossed the stop line. If these three images show that the vehicle moved beyond the stop line while the red light was on, the traffic police may determine that the vehicle ran a red light. To avoid running a yellow light: Slow down when approaching an intersection, maintain a speed of 20–30 km/h, keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, and avoid tailgating or rushing through the yellow light. Alternatively, observe the traffic signal timing in advance—if the green light has been on for a long time and traffic is light, prepare to slow down.
Driving through a yellow light is not strictly considered running a red light. The definition of running a red light is crossing the stop line and continuing to drive when the red light is on. A yellow light serves as a warning signal, prompting drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. If the vehicle has already crossed the stop line at this point, it should continue to pass to avoid obstructing traffic or causing a rear-end collision. However, if you could have safely stopped within a reasonable distance when the yellow light comes on but choose to accelerate instead, this may be considered a traffic violation. Cameras may capture such behavior, resulting in fines or demerit points. Having driven for over a decade, I’ve seen many accidents caused by rushing through yellow lights—hardly worth the risk. My advice is to make it a reflex to assess the situation whenever you see a yellow light: stop safely if you can, or proceed quickly if you can’t. Safe driving relies not just on rules but also on judgment and responsibility. Developing good habits can prevent major troubles.
From my usual perspective on driving, a yellow light is not a red light, so simply passing through a yellow light does not count as running a red light. Running a red light specifically refers to crossing an intersection during the red light phase. The yellow light serves as a buffer to ensure orderly clearance of vehicles from the intersection. However, if you deliberately proceed through a yellow light when you could have safely stopped, it may constitute a violation of traffic signal rules. Traffic police and electronic monitoring systems will assess the reasonableness of your decision based on your speed and distance. Based on driving experience, most intersections only provide a few seconds of reaction time when the yellow light appears. The safe approach is to estimate the distance: if stopping is not feasible, proceed cautiously; if stopping is possible, brake decisively. Remember, intersections often have surveillance cameras or signage as reminders—following the rules ensures peace of mind and avoids potential collision risks.
