Does stopping with the front wheels on the line count as running a red light?

[StEli]

No. If the vehicle's front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the light turns red, and the vehicle stops immediately without moving further, it will not be considered running a red light. However, if the vehicle continues to proceed in violation of the rules, it constitutes running a red light. According to Article 90 of the new traffic regulations: driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights will result in 6 penalty points and a fine of 200 yuan. If the vehicle completes crossing the line and continues to move until it has fully crossed the line before stopping, thereby affecting the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians, according to Item 7 of Article 3 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: violating prohibition signs will result in 3 penalty points and a fine of 100 yuan. Crossing the stop line can be divided into two situations: the front wheels of the vehicle crossing the stop line, or the entire body of the vehicle crossing the stop line. The Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, Article 38: Motor vehicle signal lights and non-motor vehicle signal lights indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of straight-moving vehicles and 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 provided they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians. At intersections without non-motor vehicle signal lights or pedestrian crossing signal lights, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should proceed according to the motor vehicle signal lights. The new traffic regulations clearly stipulate that the following three necessary conditions must be met to constitute 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. Running a red light can be determined by just three photos: A photo showing the front wheels of the vehicle not crossing the stop line when the red light is on, a photo of the vehicle passing through the middle of the road, and a photo of the vehicle reaching the opposite road; these three clear photos can prove the vehicle's movement trajectory after the red light turns on, thereby confirming the act of running a red light. Drivers should pay attention to the following three situations: If the front wheels of the vehicle cross the stop line or both the front and rear wheels cross the stop line but the rear of the vehicle has not crossed the stop line, and the vehicle stops immediately, the traffic police will not penalize it as running a red light, but may penalize it for stopping beyond the line. If the front wheels of the vehicle cross the stop line, regardless of whether the entire body has fully crossed the stop line, and the vehicle stops and then reverses, being captured by electronic surveillance with two complete movement images, it will be treated as running a red light, resulting in 6 penalty points and a fine of 200 yuan. If the entire body of the vehicle fully crosses the stop line and stops or continues to proceed, and within one red light cycle, the electronic surveillance captures three complete images constituting the act of running a red light, regardless of whether the vehicle reaches the intersection or crosses the opposite stop line, it will be treated as illegally running a red light and penalized accordingly.

[MacLondyn]

I've been driving for over ten years, and having the front wheels touch the line at a red light doesn't count as running it. The definition of running a red light is when the entire vehicle crosses the stop line and continues moving; merely touching the line with the front wheels without moving doesn't qualify. However, the camera systems are very sensitive, with induction loops installed beneath the stop line—once a wheel touches, it triggers a photo, potentially resulting in a 50 yuan fine or points deduction because it's considered stopping inside the intersection, obstructing pedestrian crossings. Once, I stopped after touching the line, got photographed but wasn't fined because the photo showed no vehicle movement. For safety, I always slow down early, stopping 1-2 meters behind the line before the light turns red. Beginners often get nervous and touch the line; practicing to find the braking feel helps. Intersection cameras have wide coverage, and frequent line-touching accumulates points trouble, plus increases rear-end collision risks. Developing a habit of checking the countdown and not rushing at red lights is better than anything—it makes driving much more reassuring.

[DelFelix]

From the perspective of traffic laws, stopping with wheels on the line does not constitute running a red light. A vehicle is only considered to have run a red light when it completely crosses the stop line and proceeds forward after the light turns red. If your front wheels stop on the line, it may be regarded as improper stopping but won't be recorded as a red-light violation. Traffic cameras determine violations through sequential photos - if they capture your wheels on the line without subsequent movement, it's only considered a minor violation with lighter penalties. I recommend avoiding stopping on the line as it obstructs pedestrian crossings and traffic flow while increasing accident risks. Drivers should anticipate signal changes and leave buffer distance for safe stopping at intersections. Urban enforcement is becoming stricter - even if not fined, line-crossing incidents are now recorded. Cultivating rule-compliant driving protects both yourself and others, especially during rush hours when you shouldn't rush through changing lights.

[McKayden]

As a novice driver, I got a scare when I accidentally crossed the stop line, thinking it would count as running a red light with severe penalties. Later, I learned it doesn't count as long as the vehicle doesn't proceed further. My instructor mentioned that crossing the line might be caught by cameras, but if the photo only shows the front wheels over the line without movement, it generally doesn't count as running a red light. To be safe, I always brake early to stop within the line. That time when I stopped after crossing the line, I observed that no camera flashed a warning, indicating it was fine. My advice to new drivers is not to panic, control your speed, and pay attention to the lights. While crossing the line is a minor issue, it can disrupt intersection order—avoid it if possible. Practice stopping positions more, familiarize yourself with routes to avoid distractions. Safety comes first; driving steadily is always the right approach.

[Mercedes]

As a driver, I'm quite concerned about whether crossing the line counts as running a red light. Actually, it doesn't, it mainly depends on your vehicle's overall position. If your front wheels cross the line but you stop without moving, it's not considered running a red light, but stopping in the middle of the intersection after crossing the line might result in a fine or minor penalty points. More importantly, it's about safety awareness - crossing the line can easily cause accidents as pedestrians or cyclists may not have enough time to avoid you. I always remind myself to anticipate red lights in advance, preferring to wait a bit longer rather than crossing the line. Although cameras are strict, not every intersection captures line-crossing violations. The key is to develop good habits. For example, be extra careful at turns or narrow roads, and slow down when you see the light turn yellow. This way, you stay safe without causing trouble for law enforcement, and protecting everyone's interests is the best way to drive.