Does Running a Yellow Light That Turns Red Count as Running a Red Light?
2 Answers
Whether running a yellow light that turns red counts as running a red light depends on whether the rear of the vehicle has crossed the line when the light turns red. 1. If the vehicle has just crossed the line and the driver does not continue moving the vehicle but remains stationary, traffic authorities will not consider it as running the light. 2. If a driver accidentally runs a red light but has already passed the stop line without completely crossing the intersection, traffic police may dismiss the violation under the following conditions: (1) Stopping at the intersection does not obstruct traffic; (2) It does not affect pedestrians crossing the crosswalk; (3) The vehicle has not completely passed through the intersection. As long as these three conditions are met, it will not be considered as running a red light.
You rushed through when the yellow light was on, and then it turned red? I've encountered this situation many times. According to traffic rules, running a red light is only considered a violation if your vehicle crosses the stop line after the light has turned red. If you passed the line while the light was still yellow, even if it turns red immediately after, it doesn't count as running a red light. In practice, traffic cameras determine violations based on the light color when your vehicle's front crosses the line. For example, I've seen similar situations while driving in the city and never got penalized. But the key is to judge the distance when driving: the yellow light is a warning signal—stop if you can, proceed if you can't, but don't hesitate. If you're still far from the intersection when the yellow light appears, it's best to slow down and stop. Getting fined for running a red light would be troublesome. Safety first—better to wait three minutes than to rush one second.
