Does entering the left-turn waiting zone when the light suddenly turns red count as running a red light?
4 Answers
If the left-turn arrow light is red, a motor vehicle making a left turn is considered to have run a red light. Here is relevant information about the left-turn waiting zone: 1. The correct way to handle a left-turn waiting zone: The left-turn waiting zone is only for vehicles making a left turn. When the straight-through light in the same direction is green, although the left-turn light is red, left-turning vehicles are allowed to enter the intersection and wait in the left-turn waiting zone. They can proceed through the intersection when the left-turn signal turns green. 2. Whether points will be deducted: No points will be deducted; it is a legal operation. Based on the description, if a vehicle enters the left-turn waiting zone when the light suddenly changes from green to red (even without a yellow light transition), as long as the vehicle passed the stop line when the light was green, it can continue to proceed according to the relevant regulations in the "Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law." This does not count as running a red light.
I often encounter this situation during my daily commute. The left-turn waiting area is actually designed to improve traffic efficiency, and it is completely legal to enter the waiting area when the straight-going signal is green. If the light suddenly turns red while you're in the waiting area, as long as you don't proceed further, it doesn't count as running a red light. I specifically consulted a traffic police friend about this, and they explained that electronic enforcement requires three photos to determine a red-light violation: the front wheels crossing the line, the rear wheels crossing the line, and the vehicle entering the opposite intersection. Stopping in the waiting area only meets the first condition and won't trigger a penalty. However, remember not to reverse or rush through at this point, as it can easily cause a rear-end collision. I've seen drivers panic and hit the gas to rush through, only to get ticketed and nearly hit pedestrians. The safest approach is to wait for the next green light, even if cars behind you honk.
Last time when I was dropping my child off at school, I encountered this situation. When the left-turn waiting zone turned red, I immediately hit the brakes. Later, I checked the traffic regulations and learned that as long as the vehicle is completely stopped within the white lines of the waiting zone, it won’t be considered running a red light. Here’s a key point: the timing to enter the waiting zone must be during the straight-through green light phase. If you try to squeeze in when the straight-through light is already red, that’s considered a violation. I’ve noticed that some new drivers often get confused about this. Additionally, be careful not to let the front of the car extend beyond the boundary line of the waiting zone, otherwise you might be caught by surveillance cameras for overstepping the line. That time, I waited in the waiting zone until the left-turn green light came on before proceeding, and the whole process was very safe. Remember, staying calm in unexpected situations is the most important thing—don’t let the honking from cars behind you affect your judgment.
I specifically researched this issue when preparing for my driver's license test. Traffic regulations clearly state: if a vehicle enters the waiting zone during a green light but encounters a sudden red light change, stopping in the waiting zone without proceeding further does not constitute running a red light. The electronic police system analyzes vehicle trajectories, and cars stopped in the waiting zone won't be recorded as violations. However, note two exceptions: first, entering the waiting zone after the light turns red; second, stopping in the waiting zone but having wheels cross the pedestrian crossing line. It's advisable to maintain sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead when stopping to avoid being pushed forward during a rear-end collision and triggering a violation capture. Developing the habit of observing traffic light countdowns in advance can effectively prevent unexpected situations.
