Does passing through after the yellow light turns on count as running a red light?
2 Answers
Running a yellow light and running a red light both 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. Article 26 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" 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 to pass. If the vehicle has not crossed the stop line, it should come to a halt. 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 straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to pass. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. 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, provided they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Electronic traffic enforcement captures red-light running based on the following three photos, which are reviewed by traffic police to determine whether a violation occurred: An image of the vehicle not crossing the stop line when the red light is on. An image of the vehicle's front wheels pressing against the stop line. An image of the vehicle fully crossing the stop line. If these three photos show that the vehicle moved beyond the stop line while the red light was on, the traffic police can confirm it as a red-light running violation during review. To avoid running a yellow light: Slow down when approaching an intersection, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead at 20–30 km/h, and avoid tailgating or rushing through a yellow light. Alternatively, observe the traffic light in advance; if the green light has been on for a long time with low traffic volume, prepare to slow down.
I've been driving for almost twenty years and have encountered many similar situations. Passing through after the yellow light comes on doesn't count as running a red light, as long as you fully enter the intersection before the light turns red. According to the rules, a yellow light is a warning signal, meaning 'prepare to stop,' not an opportunity to speed up. I always assess whether I can stop safely: if the distance is short or the speed is high, I go through; otherwise, I immediately slow down and brake. The key is to develop a habit—anticipate traffic light changes in advance and maintain a three-second following distance. This reduces the risk of sudden braking and avoids rear-end collisions. Remember, safety comes first—recklessly passing through could result in a fine from cameras or liability in a collision. Experience tells me that good driving habits start here.
